Abstract:
Extend and magnitude of groundwater pollution due to fertilizer use in the
permeable sandy unconfined aquifers in Polwatumodera river basin water shed- in
Southern Sri Lanka was studied during January to June 2006, recognized by heavy
agricultural activities. The study area is located in latitudes and longitudes of 80 022’,
5097, and agriculture fields are in Welihinda, Meeruppe and Eluwawala. Sixty dug
wells are selected both the well situated in cultivated and non cultivated lands.
Continues monitoring was conducted with respect to Groundwater levels, Electrical
conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS). Fifteen wells were selected for total
chemical analysis. . The study aimed to identify corrective and behavior of the
groundwater quality changers in agricultural areas due to fertilizer, present nitrate
concentration in the groundwater; present groundwater levels fluctuations and
groundwater consumption of the region. Nitrate concentration had a significant
appearance in cultivated and non cultivated areas. Nitrate concentration was very
low in non cultivated areas and composed 0-2 mg/l. In the cultivated areas Nitrate
level depended on the crop pattern and the atmospheric precipitation. During the
some plant sessions Nitrate level was high and composed 16 mg/l
