Fertilizers and nitrate pollution of surface and ground water: an increasingly pervasive global problem

Abstract Nitrate pollution of ground and surface water bodies all over the world is generally linked with continually increasing global fertilizer nitrogen (N) use. But after 1990, more N consumption in developing countries especially East South Asia than industrialized nations North America Europe, nitrate freshwaters now increasingly becoming a pervasive problem. In this review it has been attempted to research information generated during last two decades from on different aspects natural bodies. It evident that not 50% directly used by crops which applied. While small portion may leach down reach bodies, large proportion ends up soil organic pool where mineralized taken plants and/or lost via leaching several decades. Present trends freshwaters, therefore, reflect legacies current past applications fertilizers manures. Tools such as simulation models variation stable isotopes oxygen are being extensively study contribution other sources enrichment freshwaters. Impacts agricultural stewardship measures assessed managed using modern digital frameworks. Improved management agroecosystems can reduce but host factors determine magnitude. Future needs also considered.