Abstract: In order to survey the nitrate pollution status of groundwater in main vegetable production areas of Liaoning Province， water samples were collected from 112 wells in July (rainy season) and October (after rainy season) from 2010 to 2012， and the nitrate contents of samples were determined by ultraviolet visible absorption spectrophotometry (TU1810 DASPC).The results showed that nitrate content in 29% of samples was beyond the national standard， and 39% of samples exhibited potential environmental risk. Based on well depth， it was shown that the nitrate contents were 2623， 1761 and 681 mg·L-1 for groundwater with depth< 10 m， 10～20 m and ≥ 20 m， respectively， and there was a negative correlation between nitrate content and well depth. The nitrate pollution status was more severe in July than that in October. In addition， a linear correlation was observed between nitrate content of samples and nitrogen input from fertilization. According to the national water quality standard， the annual input of total nitrate should not exceed 3229 kg·hm-2．

Key words: groundwater, nitrate, nitrogen fertilizer, vegetable