Nitrogen and organic compounds correlations in groundwater from the aquifer in a semi-island (Curonian Spit, Lithuania)

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are a major source of groundwater contamination in semi-island regions, and evaluation methods developed for inland sites may not be appropriate for coastal sites. We investigated the feasibility of diversity a nitrate-affected groundwater source-fate system in a semi-island environment using comparative methods. The study site was a groundwater well-field in Neringa, Lithuania, where nitrogen compounds obtained in groundwater had increased from the origin thereafter treatment plants. We used ammonium ions and ammonium nitrogen / organic compounds ratios and direct evaluation of total nitrogen concentration to show that biological processes occurred in both source area and water treatment, and could increase nitrogen concentrations over time. The nitrogen compounds and organic carbon compounds rate was changing water quality from the place of origin aquifer, offering a possible means of preventing diversity of the nitrogen compounds by controlling reacting rate over the site. We conclude that biological processes are the real reason of nitrogen compounds diversity at this type of site.