Groundwater Quality in Agricultural Area - Research Proposal Example

Research Proposal, Environmental Studies Groundwater quality in Agricultural Area Month, Year (Due Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 Background of the study 3 1.2 Research Problem 3 1.3 Purpose of the study 4 1.4 Objectives of the study 4 1.5 Research questions 4 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 5 3 PROPOSED METHODOLOGY 6 3.1 Population and sample 6 3.2 Research design 7 3.3 Data sources 7 3.4 Data collection techniques 7 3.5 Sampling techniques 8 3.6 Data analysis and interpretation 9 FINDINGS 9 SUMMARY 9 REFERENCES 10 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of the Study Interactions in groundwater quality for infrastructure occur in hydrological systems that are intricate. Semi-urban areas provide abundant agricultural soils for increased food supply to provide for the increasing population. However, agricultural production has reduced due to ground water contamination. Food production has increased in the last 50 years in many countries due to irrigating (Rotaru & Raileanu, 2008, p. 731). Most of the farmers draw the irrigation water from underground since it provides them with timely irrigation and secure applications (Ullah, Malik, & Qadir, 2009, p. 429). Introduction of mechanization and fertilizers are the major contributors of the diffuse ground contamination (Barroso, et al., 2014). Particularly, increase in pesticide and fertilizer usage over the past decade continues with most of them having high percentages of phosphorous and nitrogen that contributes to continuing pollution of ground water (USGS, 2009). Fertilizers enriched with nitrogen are expansively applied to increase crop production, but in excess, nitrogen causes the contamination of water, air and soil. Groundwater quality degradation depends on overuse of nitrogen fertilizers. Phosphorus limits nutrients in fresh waters and in excess; it causes anthropogenic eutrophication (N.Rajkumar, T.Subramani, & L.Elango, 2010). This research aims to assess groundwater contamination in agricultural land by applying the use of the AquaChem software. 1.2. Research Problem The source of groundwater is highly related with human activity. In agricultural areas, farmers use fertilizers that contain nitrogen and phosphorous. The research study aims to detect and assess contamination of groundwater in agricultural lands around Carrot River. It will detail the vulnerability of ground water contamination from fertilizers with the aid of Aquachem software. 1.3. Purpose of the Study The study aims at investigating the contamination of groundwater in agricultural land around Carrot River. Environmentalists have difficulties in handling groundwater contamination in urban agricultural land due to pollution. This research helps environmentalists address pollution of underground water from fertilizers placed during farming. Further, the study examines the challenges of eliminating pollution from ground level. Using the AquaChem software provides insight on contamination levels in the lands. 1.4. Objectives of the Study To examine the use of AquaChem software in detecting underground contamination To access and detect the contents leading to contamination in underground water channels To evaluate the vulnerability of underground contamination in agricultural lands To evaluates methods of reducing underground contamination in agricultural lands 1.5. Research Questions Considering the extensive research conducted on groundwater contamination. This study seeks to answer the following questions; What are the factors contributing to ground water contamination in agricultural land? How can the Aquachem software applied to indicate the contamination levels? Are environmentalists educating individuals on the importance of conserving groundwater? What implications do residents face for prolonged groundwater contamination? 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Groundwater is a source of irrigation for larger populations in the world (Phansalkar & Kher, 2006), and is a source of drinking water for rural communities and cities. In 2000, ground water constituted for 40 percent of water distributed to towns and cities (N.Rajkumar, T.Subramani, & L.Elango, 2010). Agricultural practices constituted 96 percent of water from groundwater for irrigation purposes. For decades, environmentalists struggle with reducing the contamination levels of ground water by reducing the levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in fertilizers. These fertilizers release phosphorus and nitrogen into the soil, which contaminates groundwater. Nitrate is found in nitrogen; a plant nutrient supplied from animal and inorganic fertilizer. Additionally, industries and automobiles give off nitrogen compounds as by-products depositing on the land as dry parties. Water dissolves and moves the particles into the water reservoirs located in the ground. Non-agriculturally, nitrate sources include septic system, domestic animal, and lawn fertilizers. Under the agricultural fields, nitrate is the source of nitrogen. It dissolves in water, easily passing through the soil to the ground table. Nitrate stays in water for prolonged periods accumulating the concentration level. Troldborg study states that it is important to know the origin and risks of the contaminants to protecting water supplies for private users and environmentalists. Ingesting nitrate is not a public threat in adults, but it can cause low oxygen levels in infants, which is potentially fatal (Tiwari, 2011). Agricultural lands help in creating food production for rural and urban populations. Growth in food products depends on groundwater as a source of irrigation during planting. Agriculture represents the biggest percentage of dependency on groundwater. The study by USGS shows that Canada uses ground water in different countries to perform irrigation (USGS, 2009). Farmers face soil degradation if they use contaminated groundwater for their produce. The aquifers in British Colombia face challenges of ground water contamination, which highly influenced their supply of clean water. The aquifers gave them the opportunity to yield large water quantities for industrial, domestic and agricultural needs. Over the years, the quality of water from the aquifers was good until the contamination levels increased. However, Tiwari 2011 states that for the use of ground water to increase in agricultural areas, nitrogen and phosphorous contamination has to decrease. (Barroso, et al., 2014) and (Ullah, Malik, & Qadir, 2009) have a preliminary report on ground contamination in Canada including those that happened in British Columbia. Their findings indicate low cases of ground contamination cases. An updated compilation indicates that the number has since increased with experiments taken on the agricultural lands showing overwhelming results. A review on the study gives the following analysis: There is an increase in groundwater contamination specific to the aquifers mainly due to farming activities. Previous uncontaminated aquifers are now contaminated Many aquifers are not presently known to be contaminated Contaminated groundwater continues to discharge to streams, wetlands and lakes. The conclusion made on this study is that environmentalists should increase their concern on contamination of ground water in agricultural lands. This preview helps the research develop testing peripherals for the experiment. 3. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY 3.1. Population and Sample The population of the study will be from the agricultural lands surrounding Carrot River. A sample of one acre of land of different crop plantations will be used to collect data on water quality. Five researchers will be sent to the field to perform experiments and record data through the AquaChem software. 3.2. Research Design The study will adopt an experimental design due to the statistical data derived from the software. The design approach will help solve the problem of identification, definition and formulation of the research objectives. Using the experiment design is suitable since the data collected will be used to identify research problems proposed in reinforcing the objectives. The research will analyze the data from the sample and provide an interpretation of the results. The process of analysis will be: Estimating population size Selecting a representative sample Defining suitable data collection instruments Collecting and analyzing data Formulating conclusions and results 3.3. Data Sources The information on water quality will be obtained through forms filled after performing the experiment. The data will be collected around agricultural grounds in Carrot River. All identified locations will be tested using the AquaChem software. The data will be collected through forms with instructional questions. 3.4. Data Collection Techniques The collection of data will be by the AquaChem software. The AquaChem is a software program used to analyze the quality of ground water. It is applicable in waterways projects and research study since it provides ease analysis, reporting and management of the data collected. The use of the AquaChem analysis tool is in providing functionality and calculations used in the study. Applying the software makes it easier for the interpretation of data into a theoretical framework. Some of the tools that the Aquachem software applies are; unit transformations, statistical data, charge balances, and geometrical calculations. Powerful capabilities of the selections make analysis of graphs and plots of the generated data accessible. 3.5. Sampling Techniques The random stratified sampling technique will aid the researchers collect diverse data on the quality of water. It will help in choosing a sample location randomly, but among the agricultural field. Categorization of the target area in terms of fertilizers used will narrow the location of picking the samples. The software is simply to use as the user only requires installation onto computers. Acquiring the water quality of data is flexible and effortless with applicable options of data importing and exporting. The software has over 20 essential geochemical graphs and plots such as scatter, box, and Schoeller. Environmentalists use intelligent handling for non- detect results. It automatically generates reports, which makes it simple for the generation of feedback. 3.6. Data analysis and interpretation The research study will use AquaChem to analyze reports on various municipal groundwater supplies. Analytical report results generate efficiently with the software portraying information on the contaminated sites. Provision of water quality data provides ease in managing sanitation of landfills. Environmentalists from the site will use the software to identify mineral trends for exploration. Overall, the software gives water quality data, analyzed, interpreted and plotted on graphs. It gives the regulatory compliance of the chemical trends and analysis. AquaChem efficiently collects data, reorganizes, description and interprets object to formulate a conclusion. Data interpretation will be through statistical methods available on the AquaChem software. The use of classification tools like tables and charts assist in report generation and recommendations. 4. FINDINGS The findings of the data will be recorded in forms and the software for easy processes. A combination of reading, listening and analyzing descriptive information will tabulate a report that answers the research questions. Findings will have statistical approaches that give mean and frequencies of the collected data. Report citing will relate to previous literature and experiments done for the same purpose. 5. SUMMARY This study aims to access information on groundwater contamination in agricultural lands. The use of the AquaChem software will provide easy data collection and analysis. Using forms will help track information recorded by the software while taking the experiment. The research uses the experiment as a research design to compare to previous done experiments. Analysis, interpretation and recommendations will arise from reports generated on conclusion of the research. REFERENCES Barroso, M. F., Ramalhosa, M. J., Antao, A. O., Pina, M. F., Guimara˜es, L., Teixeira, J., et al. (2014). Assessment of groundwater contamination in an agricultural peri-urban area (NW Portugal) an integrated approach. Environ Earth Sci , 1-14. N.Rajkumar, T.Subramani, & L.Elango. (2010). Groundwater Contamination Due to Municipal Solid Waste Disposal – A GIS Based Study in Erode City. International Journal of Environmental Sciences , 39-55. Phansalkar, S., & Kher, V. (2006). A Decade of the Maharashtra Groundwater Legislation:Analysis of the Implementation Process. Law Environment and Development Journal , 69-79. Rotaru, A., & Raileanu, P. (2008). Groundwater Contamination from Waste Storage Works . Environmental Engineering and Management Journal , 731-735. Tiwari, R. (2011). Assessment of groundwater quality and pollution potential of Jawa Block Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh, India. Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences , 202-212. Troldborg, M. (2010). Risk assessment models and uncertainty estimation of groundwater contamination from point sources . DTU Environment , 1-89. Ullah, R., Malik, R. N., & Qadir, A. (2009). Assessment of groundwater contamination in an industrial city, Sialkot, Pakistan. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology Vol. 3 , 429-446. USGS. (2009). Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Groundwater Resources of the United States. Science for a Changing World , 1-4. 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