ABSTRACT
In 1988 the European Community issued Council Directive 88/708 for the protection of fresh coastal and marine waters against pollution caused by nitrates from diffuse sources. This Directive was targeted primarily at pollution by agriculture arising from land management practices, excessive land application of animals manures and over use of chemical fertiliser. It was felt necessary to control the input of nitrate to the aquatic environment and to achieve a maximum admissible concentration of 50 mg/1 for drinking water.
