EXPERT SYSTEM FOR PREIXTIW GROUNDWATER POLLUTION POTENTIAL FROM THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Degradation of groundwater quality due to the application of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides in intensive farming, can take place over large areas from diffused sources such as deep percolation from intensively farmed fields into the underground environment. Though inconspicuous and out of sight, groundwater forms a very important part of the environment. Special care must now be exercised to protect it against possible pollution for the benefit of present and future generations. An expert system for predicting the impact of intensive agriculture on groundwater pollution potential was established by using CLIPS (NASA’S Jonson Space Centre). In the case of groundwater environmental impact assessment, knowledge base could be extracted from Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development Malaysia, Food and Agriculture Organization, Environmental Impact Assessment reports, established literature and domain experts for preparing an expert system skeleton. The expert system could predict the groundwater pollution potential under several conditions of agricultural activities and existing environments, therefore, the appropriate mitigation and protection measures can be applied efficiently. Using a sample of special care intensive farms,a policy scheme combining the control of pesticide and nitrogen use can be assessed.