Nitrate and phosphate pollution in surface and ground water in Western Malaysia

• Main Authors: I., Khan, H., Ullah, M., Imran
• Format: Citation Index Journal
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utp.edu.my/584/1/paper.pdf; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-36549069720&partnerID=40&md5=a5c6129235ee994740ea047956b1fcdf; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/584/

Concentration levels of nitrate and phosphate in river and ground water samples from 9 different states of western Malaysia were determined. It was found that most of the rivers are slightly polluted with nitrate and phosphate. The highest concentration of nitrate (26.0 mg/ L) was found in Melaka state in the river of Batang, while the lowest concentration of nitrate (2.61 mg/ L) was found in the Terengganu state in the river of Besut The highest concentration of phosphate (0.66 mg/ L) was found in Penang state in the river of Kulim. The minimum concentration of phosphate (0.02 mg/ L) was found in different states. The most important sources that contribute to the pollution were raw crops, irrigated agriculture and over-application of animal wastes.