Research on the traceability and treatment of nitrate pollution in groundwater: a comprehensive review

• Published in: Environmental geochemistry and health Vol. 47; no. 4; p. 107
• Main Authors: Liu, Yuhao, Zhang, Yu, Lv, Haiyang, Zhao, Lei, Wang, Xinyi, Yang, Ziyan, Li, Ruihua, Chen, Weisheng, Song, Gangfu, Gu, Haiping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Contaminants; Control methods; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Fertilizers; Geochemistry; Groundwater; Groundwater - analysis; Groundwater - chemistry; Groundwater pollution; Groundwater quality; Household wastes; hydrochemistry; Industrial wastes; Industrial wastewater; Integrity; landfill leachates; Landfills; Leachates; Mathematical models; Microorganisms; Nitrates; Nitrates - analysis; Nitrogen; Organic nitrogen; Origins; Oxygen isotopes; Permeable reactive barriers; Pollution; Pollution detection; Pollution prevention; Pollution sources; Preservation; Public Health; Remediation; Review Paper; Sewage; soil organic nitrogen; Soil permeability; Soil pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Terrestrial Pollution; traceability; Tracers; Waste disposal sites; Wastewater; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water quality; Nitrate pollution; Source identification; Remediation; Groundwater
• ISSN: 0269-4042; 1573-2983; 1573-2983
• DOI: 10.1007/s10653-025-02412-0

The preservation of groundwater quality is essential for maintaining the integrity of the water ecological cycle. The preservation of groundwater quality is crucial for sustaining the integrity of the water ecological cycle. Nitrate (NO 3 − ) has emerged as a pervasive contaminant in groundwater, attracting significant research attention due to its extensive distribution and the potential environmental consequences it poses. The primary sources of NO 3 − pollution include soil organic nitrogen, atmospheric nitrogen deposition, domestic sewage, industrial wastewater, landfill leachate, as well as organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and manure. A comprehensive understanding of these sources is imperative for devising effective strategies to mitigate NO 3 − contamination. Technologies for tracing NO 3 − -polluted groundwater include hydrochemical analysis, nitrogen and oxygen isotope techniques, microbial tracers, and numerical simulations. Quantitative isotope analysis frequently necessitates the application of mathematical models such as IsoSource, IsoError, IsoConc, MixSIR, SIAR, and MixSIAR to deduce the origins of pollution. This study provides a summary of the application scenarios, as well as the strengths and limitations of these models. In terms of remediation, pump and treat and permeable reactive barrier are predominant technologies currently employed. These approaches are designed to remove or reduce NO 3 − concentrations in groundwater, thereby restoring its quality. The study offers a systematic examination of NO 3 − pollution, encompassing its origins, detection methodologies, and remediation approaches, highlighting the role of numerical simulations and integrating multidisciplinary knowledge. Additionally, this review delves into technological advancements and future trends concerning the detection and treatment of NO 3 − pollution in groundwater. It proposes methods to control the spread of pollution and acts as a guide for identifying and preventing pollution sources.