TRAVEL OF NITROGEN IN SOILS

The most notable cause of nitrogen contamination of groundwaters is the release of wastewaters at or near the surface of the earth. These wastewa ters may originate from septic tank effluents, waste stabilization ponds, waste treatment plant effluents, sludge lagoons, sanitary landfills, privies, barnyards, leaking sewers, irrigation systems, and similar sources. Nitro gen in groundwater is of public health significance as an indicator of pollution and also as a direct cause of infant methemoglobinemia when consumed in the form of nitrates. In the field of agriculture, the retention of nitrogen in surface soils is of vital concern in the application of plant fertilizers. What are the factors which affect