Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications on Surface Water Nitrate Levels within a Kenyan Tea Plantation
Joint Authors
Ng’etich, W. K.
Kituyi, J. L.
Maghanga, J. K.
Kisinyo, P. O.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-4, 4 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-12-11
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
4
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Tea production in the Kenyan Rift Valley uses high rates of nitrogenous fertilizer.
Nitrates can be discharged to water bodies through leaching and surface run-off.
Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L NO3-–N cause methemoglobinemia which is fatal.
A study to monitor changes in surface water nitrate levels was carried out in ten rivers within a Kenyan tea plantation for three years.
Water samples were obtained before and after fertilizer application in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-–N) was determined colorimetrically by the cadmium reduction method using HACH-DR 2400 dataloging spectrophotometer.
For the three years, the highest nitrate-nitrogen levels were in river Temochewa in 2005 during the first fertilizer applications (4.9 mg/L to 8.2 mg/L).
There was no established trend between surface water nitrate levels and the time of fertilizer applications; however, fertilizer application contributed to an increase in nitrate levels.
The initial nitrate-nitrogen levels in most of the rivers were high, indicating that contamination could have been upstream; hence, further research is required to establish this.
Nitrogen-nitrogen levels in the three years were below the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L NO3-–N; however, the rivers should be monitored frequently.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Maghanga, J. K.& Kituyi, J. L.& Kisinyo, P. O.& Ng’etich, W. K.. 2012. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications on Surface Water Nitrate Levels within a Kenyan Tea Plantation. Journal of Chemistry،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453709
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Maghanga, J. K.…[et al.]. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications on Surface Water Nitrate Levels within a Kenyan Tea Plantation. Journal of Chemistry No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453709
American Medical Association (AMA)
Maghanga, J. K.& Kituyi, J. L.& Kisinyo, P. O.& Ng’etich, W. K.. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications on Surface Water Nitrate Levels within a Kenyan Tea Plantation. Journal of Chemistry. 2012. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453709
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-453709