How does contamination move in the groundwater?

Contaminants may reach ground water from activities on the land surface, such as releases or spills from stored industrial wastes; from sources below the land surface but above the water table, such as septic systems or leaking underground petroleum storage systems; from structures beneath the water table, such as …

How far can groundwater contamination spread?

At most sites studied (70\%), petroleum contamination in groundwater was found to travel more than 75 feet from its source.

How do contaminants move through soil?

Most contaminants are introduced to the subsurface by percolation through soils. Some contaminants adsorb readily onto soil particles and slowly dissolve during precipitation events, resulting in dissolve fraction concentrations of contaminants migrating to groundwater.

Where is water most likely to contaminate?

Typically, surface water requires more treatment and filtration than ground water because lakes, rivers, and streams contain more sediment and pollutants and are more likely to be contaminated than ground water.

What are some sources of groundwater contamination Why is groundwater pollution such a difficult problem?

Why is groundwater pollution such a difficult problem? Groundwater contamination can happen because of septic systems, landfills, and industrial activity that leaches pollutants into the aquifer recharge zone. Deep wells provide a direct method for pollution to enter groundwater.

What are the causes and effects of groundwater pollution?

Contaminated groundwater has detrimental effects on health. In areas where septic tanks installation is not set up correctly, the human waste may contaminate the water source. The waste may contain hepatitis causing bacteria that may lead to irreversible damage to the liver.

Where in the US is contamination of groundwater a major concern?

This includes chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides that many homeowners apply to their lawns. Contamination of groundwater by road salt is of major concern in northern areas of the United States.

Why does groundwater have generally higher mineral content than surface water?

Minerals in Water – Groundwater & Hardness While groundwater typically contains fewer contaminants than your average surface water, it does tend to have higher mineral content due to the dissolving action of water.