Nitrate Concentration In Groundwater: A Cross-Sectional Study In Three Villages In Bachok District, Kelantan during the Paddy Harvest Season

Shaharuddin MS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nitrate (NO3-) is essential for plants as it provides nutrition for them to grow. That being said, excessive amounts of nitrate that is not used up by plants tend to infiltrate the soil, move downwards and accumulate in groundwater, which is detrimental to the health of people using that type of water for their daily needs. Among health problems related to excessive intake of nitrate are cancer and infant methemoglobinaemia. In Malaysia, the maximum acceptable concentration for nitrate in drinking water is 10 ppm in NO3-N form or 45 ppm in nitrate form. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted in three villages in Bachok district, Kelantan, namely Keting, Kuchelong and Telaga Ara villages. These villages were chosen as they were located near paddy fields, and some homes may also have animal enclosures. Wells used for drinking and cooking purposes were selected for nitrate determination, and other data such as age and depth of wells, as well as distance to nitrate source were also recorded. Houses using other source of water and with installed water purification system were exluded from this study. Data was collected during the harvest season of October and November of 2018 and three replicates of water samples were analysed for nitrate using a multimeter with an attached nitrate electrode. Distance of nitrate source from wells were calculated using coordinates from global positioning system (GPS) readings. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 136 wells were selected after fulfilling a few inclusive and exclusive criteria. The number of wells analysed based by villages are Kuchelong with 43 wells, Keting with 36 wells and Telaga Ara with 57 wells. Nitrate concentration in Kuchelong village ranged from 0.09 to 8.12 ppm with a mean of 0.74 + SD 1.82 ppm, in Keting village ranged from 0.81 to 28.8 ppm with a mean of 3.76 + SD 5.49 ppm and in Telaga Ara village ranged from 0.95 to 43.0 ppm with a mean of 8.34 + SD 7.70 ppm. At a glance, 22 (16.2%) wells have nitrate concentrations below the maximum acceptable level. Readings from all three villages did not surpass the maximum acceptable limit of 45ppm; however, there are two wells, one each in Keting and Telaga Ara villages, had higher readings than the mean. One-way ANOVA results show that there is a significant difference in nitrate concentration between villages (p<0.00). There are no significant relationships between nitrate concentration and variables such as age and depth of well, as well as distance from nitrate source (p>0.05). Observations on the location of the wells which had readings higher than the mean found that they were located near a source of nitrate, for example paddy field or animal enclosure which may contribute manure rich in inorganic N. CONCLUSION: All well sampled in the study area have nitrate with concentrations below the maximum acceptable level. Steps such as periodical sampling and analysis of well water should be performed to ensure concentration of nitrate remain below the maximum acceptable levels in order to take care of the health of residents.

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