Source Identification of Nitrate contamination in Groundwater of an Agricultural Site, Jeungpyeong, Korea

This study applied a hydrogeological field survey and isotope investigation to identify source locations and delineate pathways of groundwater contamination by nitrogen compounds. The infiltration and recharge processes were analyzed with groundwater-level fluctuation data and oxygen-hydrogen stable isotope data. The groundwater flow pattern was investigated through groundwater flow modeling and spatial and temporal variation of oxygen isotope data. Based on the flow analysis and nitrogen isotope data, source types of nitrate contamination in groundwater are identified. Groundwater recharge largely occurs in spring and summer due to precipitation or irrigation water in rice fields. Based on oxygen isotope data and cross-correlation between precipitation and groundwater level changes, groundwater recharge was found to be mainly caused by irrigation in spring and by precipitation at other times. The groundwater flow velocity calculated by a time series of spatial correlations, 231 m/yr, is in good accordance with the linear velocity estimated from hydrogeologic data. Nitrate contamination sources are natural and fertilized soils as non-point sources, and septic and animal wastes as point sources. Seasonal loading and spatial distribution of nitrate sources are estimated by using oxygen and nitrogen isotopic data.