Use of Molecular Techniques for Identification the Kind of Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater

a pilot action has been carried out to identify potentially contaminating sources of nitrate in the ground on the whole Apulian territory, istinguishing the origin of nitrate from mineral fertilizers, livestock effluents, urban wastewater, sewage sludge, etc. Consequently, the priority objective of this action was to identify with greater certainty the causes of nitrate contamination by distinguishing the agricultural, livestock or civil source. With specific reference to the definition of the source of nitrate contamination, the identification of the species present in the environmental matrix (water) of its nucleotide sequences allows to identify the certain source of contamination. Through the recognition bacterial species with their genetic kit, it is possible to determine whether contamination comes from a strictly anthropogenic source (such as untreated septic tanks or sewage sludges) or it cames from an inadequate spread of animal flywheels.