Nitrogen in Minnesota Ground Water

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture have completed a comprehensive study examining existing data and literature related to nitrogen in the state's ground water. The report was required by the Minnesota Legislature as part of the Ground Water Protection Act of 1989. Other collaborators in 1he study included the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Recommendations made by local governments in comprehensive local water plans were also considered for this report. Nitrogen is one of the most widely distributed elements in nature and is present virtually everywhere on the earth's crust in one or more of its many chemical forms. Nitrate (N03), a dominant and mobile form of nitrogen, is commonly found in ground and surface waters throughout the country. Its source can be natural or the result of human activities. There are increasing concerns over nitrate concentrations and, to a lesser degree, other forms of nitrogen, found in the state's water resources. The decline in ground water quality in many areas of the United States has paralleled increased nitrogen usage in plant nutrition and/or increased discharge from other human activities. There are no substitutes for nitrogen in plant nutrition: this fact makes the problem unique. The most practical way to approach nitrogen issues is through careful management.