With respect to nitrates in Alpine groundwater, the map gives an overview of the concentrations as measured by the national monitoring networks.

Due to the absence of intensive agricultural activities as the potential main source of nutrients in combination with high precipitation rates, the inner-Alpine area shows low concentrations of nitrates in groundwater below 25 mg/l NO3. Increased concentrations between 25 and 40 mg/l, and only in very few cases, more than 40 mg/l can occur in the lower regions and outskirts of the Alpine arc, where the pre-conditions for agricultural activities are more favourable.

An example of an impacted groundwater body in Bavaria caused by agriculture with increased nitrate concentrations was given in the previous chapter. However, due to the absence of main pressures potentially impacting the quality of groundwater bodies, nutrient pollution is therefore generally considered to be a minor problem for groundwater in the Alpine area.

This map is published within the 2nd Report on the state of the Alps (RSA2).

Author: Umweltbundesamt, Austria

Source: AT, DE, FR, IT: Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protecion of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources for the period 2000-2003. SI: National data (average NO3 period 2000-2003). CH: National data (period 2007). LI: National

The layer can be accessed through WMS services at http://www.atlas.alpconv.org/geoserver/ows?service=wms&version=1.3.0&request=GetCapabilitiesdata