Assessment of extent and variability of nitrate contamination in shallow and deep aquifers of an urban area, India

In urban areas, the nitrate contamination is rampant and much attention has not been drawn towards this anthropogenic pollution. To assess the hydrochemical composition and status of nitrate (NO₃⁻) in groundwater, a total of 240 groundwater samples from shallow and deep aquifers were collected during pre- and post-monsoon seasons from Nagpur city. The study revealed that groundwater was found unsuitable for drinking purposes due to high NO₃⁻ concentration. Seasonal variation in NO₃⁻concentration was observed in both aquifers. The results of this study are useful to highlight one of the most important environmental problems, namely the degradation of the water quality.