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The leaching of nitrate to both ground and
surface waters is a natural consequence of agricultural activity but excessive
levels of nitrates can alter the natural ecology of rivers and pollute
drinking waters.
In order to identify those areas where the groundwater was
most at risk of contamination by nitrate from agriculture, data on land
use, soil permeability and rainfall were combined to produce a nitrate leaching
potential map for Scotland. The map shows that the areas most vulnerable
to
groundwater contamination lie in the east. Where these areas coincide with
underlying rocks that are permeable, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones have
been designated. The farmers in these zones have to adhere to strict
rules designed to reduce the amount of nitrate leaching.
Click here or on map for larger map
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Exploring Scotland
