EXPLORING VILLAGERS’ INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF WATER AND SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF THE VILLAGE CARBUNA OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Water and soil are probably the only natural resources to touch all aspects of human civilization - from agricultural and industrial development to the cultural values embedded in society. Therefore, water and soil management strategies must take cultural practices fully into account. A comprehensive study on water and soil of the village Carbuna located in the Ioloveni District of Moldova was done over the course of two weeks in June-July 2019. The purpose of this preliminary study was to conduct a quick investigation on water and soil management practices by villagers of a small agricultural economy based remote village. The study found that the lack of water quality monitoring and water treatment system allowed for the accumulation of anthropogenic pollution in groundwater and surface water. In this preliminary study, forty-six (46) groundwater wells mostly dug wells were identified, thirteen (13) of which were analyzed, and one (1) surface water supply was analyzed in the field for the physical and chemical parameters common ions and metals. Filtered and unfiltered samples were collected and transferred to the United States (NY) Laboratory for further detailed analysis. Both on-site and in-lab data showed that most of the shallow groundwater samples contain high level of nitrate-nitrogen and total dissolved solid suggesting potential contamination from sewer sources caused by poor management and farming practices. Biological parameters for fecal indicator bacteria (FIBs) were tested from selected wells and surface water consistently showed alarming level of E. Coli and Total Coliform in the water containing high level of nitrate. Soil quality was also assessed by measuring soil nutrients including nitrogen and phosphorous by using LaMotte soil testing kits on-site. Nitrogen and phosphorous level were found to be within the normal range in most of the soil samples with circumneutral pH. The dried soils were also run by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometer for toxic metals including RCRA hazardous metals and consistently showed below the permissible limit. This study of texture and chemical analysis enable us to understand the capacity of Carbuna organic rich soils to function, within natural ecosystem limitations, to sustain plant productivity, and support human health and habitation.