Causes of nitrate leaching from agriculture land in Slovenia

Abstract

In Slovenia, groundwater is significant source of drinking water. It has been widely reported that contamination of groundwater from agricultural non-point source is one of the major pollution problems. The pollution of groundwater in areas of agricultural activity is a result of using of mineral nitrogenous fertilizers in large quantities. Applying excess nitrate fertilizers directly affects ground water quality, especial for NO3-N, which is highly mobile. Non-point loss of NO3-N from fields to water resources however is not caused by one single factor. Rather is caused by combination of factors including precipitation, crop uptake, irrigation, application of fertilizers and soil property. Although Slovenian areas of intensive agriculture have different soil characteristics, different rainfall regime and agricultural practice, their nitrate leaching regime appears to be similar and in majority related to the precipitation and fertilization.