STUDIES ON NITRATE LEVELS IN DRINKING WATER OF THE GALATI COUNTY PRIVATE WELLS

摘要

Public health is determined among other factors by adequate supplies of drinking water to rural population through public facilities such as individual or public fountains. Chemical contamination of drinking water generally determines the type of chronic health effects. Methemoglobinemia is a case of acute severe damage of the population due to nitrate contamination of water from wells, particularly for the age group 0-1 year. 'Blue baby' syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when the hemoglobin (Fe~(2+)) in an infant red blood cells is oxidised to methemoglobin (Fe~(3+)). Because methemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen, the condition produces symptoms of cyanosis. Methemoglobin levels > 50% can quickly lead to coma and death if the condition is not recognised and treated. In the Galati county were inventoried the public and private wells by the national program. Water samples collected from these wells during the year 2009 contained nitrate concentrations in the range of 9.78 mg/1 (minimum) and 733 mg/1 (maximum) and nitrite concentration in the range of minimum 0.03 mg/1 and maximum 0.439 mg/1. In all localities under study, there are many inadequate chemical wells in which the nitrate levels are above the maximum permissible concentration (50 mg/1) due to the chemical composition of soil layers by passing groundwater.