239
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Switzerland AG 2021
B. Balabanova, T. Stafilov (eds.), Contaminant Levels and Ecological Effects,
Emerging Contaminants and Associated Treatment Technologies,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66135-9_8
Chapter 8
Groundwater Pollution Under
the Intensive Agriculture Production
Biljana Kovacevik, Sasa Mitrev, Blažo Boev, Natalija Markova Ruzdik,
and Vesna Zajkova Panova
Abstract Groundwater quality situated under the intensive agriculture production
of the Strumica region, Republic of North Macedonia, is investigated. Carbonate
rock watering plays a significant role in groundwater chemistry. Nitrate concentrations greater than 50 mg/l were observed in 14% of investigated samples with a
maximum concentration of 284 mg/l (med 3 mg/l). Almost 33% of Mn levels were
above the levels of public health concern (>50 μg/l). Arsenic was found in elevated
concentrations (>10 μg/l) in almost 35% of investigated groundwater samples, and
16% had concentration greater than 50 μg/l (max 177 μg/l). It is assumed that the
reductive dissolution is a major mechanism by which arsenic is released into the
groundwater. Statistical analysis shows significant differences regarding NH 4
+
,
PO 4
3−
, Fe, Mn, As, Ba, Ti, and Zn concentrations between shallow and deep groundwater. Factor analysis revealed four significant factors. F1 (Cl
−
, SO 4
2−
, Na, K, and
B) associates the most affected ions by rainwater leaching. F2 (HCO 3
−
, Ca, As, and
Mg) makes an association between ions that arise from the hydrogeochemical reactions. F3 (NO 3
−
, NO 2
−
, Mg, and Cu) associates ions affected by the reduction processes, while F5 (NH 4
+
, PO 4
3−
, and Fe) associates ions which are related to the use
of fertilizers.
B. Kovacevik (*) · S. Mitrev
Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev
University, Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
e-mail: biljana.kovacevik@ugd.edu.mk
B. Boev
Department of Petrology, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Technical
Sciences, Goce Delčev University, Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
N. Markova Ruzdik
Department for Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev University,
Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
V. Zajkova Panova
UNILAB, Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev University,
Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Switzerland AG 2021
B. Balabanova, T. Stafilov (eds.), Contaminant Levels and Ecological Effects,
Emerging Contaminants and Associated Treatment Technologies,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66135-9_8
Chapter 8
Groundwater Pollution Under
the Intensive Agriculture Production
Biljana Kovacevik, Sasa Mitrev, Blažo Boev, Natalija Markova Ruzdik,
and Vesna Zajkova Panova
Abstract Groundwater quality situated under the intensive agriculture production
of the Strumica region, Republic of North Macedonia, is investigated. Carbonate
rock watering plays a significant role in groundwater chemistry. Nitrate concentrations greater than 50 mg/l were observed in 14% of investigated samples with a
maximum concentration of 284 mg/l (med 3 mg/l). Almost 33% of Mn levels were
above the levels of public health concern (>50 μg/l). Arsenic was found in elevated
concentrations (>10 μg/l) in almost 35% of investigated groundwater samples, and
16% had concentration greater than 50 μg/l (max 177 μg/l). It is assumed that the
reductive dissolution is a major mechanism by which arsenic is released into the
groundwater. Statistical analysis shows significant differences regarding NH 4
+
,
PO 4
3−
, Fe, Mn, As, Ba, Ti, and Zn concentrations between shallow and deep groundwater. Factor analysis revealed four significant factors. F1 (Cl
−
, SO 4
2−
, Na, K, and
B) associates the most affected ions by rainwater leaching. F2 (HCO 3
−
, Ca, As, and
Mg) makes an association between ions that arise from the hydrogeochemical reactions. F3 (NO 3
−
, NO 2
−
, Mg, and Cu) associates ions affected by the reduction processes, while F5 (NH 4
+
, PO 4
3−
, and Fe) associates ions which are related to the use
of fertilizers.
B. Kovacevik (*) · S. Mitrev
Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev
University, Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
e-mail: biljana.kovacevik@ugd.edu.mk
B. Boev
Department of Petrology, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Technical
Sciences, Goce Delčev University, Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
N. Markova Ruzdik
Department for Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev University,
Štip, Republic of North Macedonia
V. Zajkova Panova
UNILAB, Faculty of Agriculture, Goce Delčev University,
Štip, Republic of North Macedonia