The aim of this paper is to present an assessment of nitrates fluxes in the groundwater in Timis County using some direct measurements, as well as their spatial distribution. The presence of the high nitrogen concentrations in soils is a high potential risk for the groundwater and, implicitly, for human and animal health, the groundwater being the main source of the drinking water in many rural areas. One of the main risk factor for nitrates pollution is the agricultural activity, through the application of the mineral and organic fertilizers doses. As EU country, Romania has to report to international committees the state of nitrate pollution, in the respect of Nitrate Directive, in order to promote a sustainable agriculture based on suitable agricultural practices application for environmental protection. Several information systems, assessing and monitoring the potential vulnerable zones to nitrates, using pre-established indicators, have been developed. In order to assess the influence of relief and local conditions on the nitrates contents in the groundwater, several measurements have been done using the multiparameter nitrate sonde, for the following parameters: water temperature, groundwater depth and thickness, ammonia, nitrates, chlorophyll, and dissolved oxygen contents. Other observations about local conditions (distances to stables, to other potential sources of contamination, the type of wells, etc) have been done. A NUTS4 administrative unit, vulnerable to nitrate pollution, from Timiş County, has been chosen for these measurements. The environmental conditions of the studied areas are presented. Some relationships between the measured values of nitrate contents in the groundwater and the landscape are presented.

nitrates pollution; vulnerable area; nitrates assessment

Presentation: oral