Brian Barton
Groundwater pollution, or aquifer pollution, is a pressing issue that can cause a dramatic loss of water supply. Pollution occurs when man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts, and chemicals seep into the groundwater, making it unsafe and unfit for human use. This can happen through various means, including leaking sewers, petrol filling stations, hydraulic fracturing, and the over-application of fertilizers in agriculture. Aquifer pollution vulnerability represents the level of natural protection afforded by the contaminant attenuation capacity of the vadose zone and confining beds above an aquifer. Groundwater is a crucial resource for humans for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use, and preventing contamination is far less expensive than cleaning it up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes of aquifer pollution | Human activity, including the use of pesticides and fertilizers, leaking sewers, petrol filling stations, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), landfill leachate, and wastewater treatment plants |
| Natural causes of aquifer pollution | Arsenic, Fluoride, and other naturally-occurring contaminants |
| Health risks | Water-borne diseases, poisoning, skeletal fluorosis, dental fluorosis, hepatitis, dysentery, certain types of cancer |
| Prevention methods | Applying the precautionary principle, groundwater quality monitoring, land zoning for groundwater protection, locating on-site sanitation systems correctly, applying legislation, limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides, proper disposal of chemicals |
| Sources of contamination | Ground failures, oil pipeline rupture, ground discontinuities, septic tank waste, storage tanks, onsite wastewater disposal systems |
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What You'll Learn
Human activity and inadequate sanitation
The widespread use of chemicals and road salts is a significant concern. When it rains, these chemicals can easily seep into the ground and eventually contaminate water sources. Similarly, road salts used to melt ice on roads during winter are washed off as the ice melts, eventually ending up in water bodies and, consequently, in groundwater. Atmospheric contaminants, including those from the atmosphere and surface water, can also be transferred to groundwater supplies as part of the hydrologic cycle.
In the case of sanitation systems, onsite wastewater disposal systems used by homes or buildings not connected to a city sewer system can contribute to groundwater pollution. While these septic systems are designed to slowly drain human waste harmlessly, they can become overwhelmed or malfunction, leading to contamination. Additionally, improperly placed wells can increase the risk of drinking water contamination with pathogens carried in faeces and urine, leading to waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea.
The impact of human activity and inadequate sanitation on aquifer pollution is not limited to immediate contamination. For example, a study of groundwater quality in the principal aquifers of the United States between 1991 and 2004 revealed that 23% of domestic wells contained contaminants at levels exceeding human health benchmarks. This highlights the persistence of pollutants in groundwater, which can have long-term health effects, including certain types of cancer.
Furthermore, human activity and inadequate sanitation can interact with natural processes to exacerbate aquifer pollution. For instance, the natural presence of arsenic in aquifer sediments can be influenced by human activities. Organic matter generated through human activities creates anaerobic conditions in the aquifer, leading to the microbial dissolution of iron oxides and the subsequent release of arsenic into the water. This natural arsenic pollution can have severe health consequences, as arsenic is highly toxic.
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Industrial and technological contaminants
One notable example of industrial and technological contaminants is the release of chemicals and pollutants from human activities. This includes the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, which can leach into the groundwater and contaminate aquifers. Additionally, the improper disposal of industrial waste, such as liquid effluents and spent oils, can result in the contamination of aquifers. In urban areas, wastewater disposal through mains sewerage systems can also contribute to aquifer pollution, as large volumes of treated wastewater may be used for flood irrigation, ultimately contaminating the local groundwater.
Another critical concern is the presence of Technology Critical Elements (TCEs), which are naturally occurring elements that have gained attention due to their extensive use in technological applications. While information about their distribution and behavior is still scarce, TCEs are considered emerging contaminants due to their growing emissions into the environment. Oil pipeline ruptures, such as the one that occurred in Salamanca, can lead to the leakage of hydrocarbons and the contamination of shallow aquifers. Furthermore, ground failures and discontinuities can facilitate the migration of contaminants, such as arsenic and vanadium from fuel oil burning, affecting intermediate aquifer quality.
Deep, confined aquifers are generally considered safer sources of drinking water regarding pathogens. However, pathogens from treated or untreated wastewater can still contaminate certain aquifers, especially shallow ones. The lack of proper sanitation measures and improperly placed wells can result in drinking water contaminated with pathogens carried in feces and urine, leading to waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea. Additionally, saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers can occur due to human activities, further affecting water quality.
To address these issues, various prevention and management methods are available. Prevention includes applying the precautionary principle, implementing groundwater quality monitoring, zoning land for groundwater protection, and correctly locating on-site sanitation systems. When pollution occurs, management approaches such as point-of-use water treatment, groundwater remediation technologies like the Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB), or, as a last resort, abandonment of the contaminated site, may be considered.
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Agricultural pollution
Agriculture is a major contributor to water pollution, accounting for 70% of water withdrawals worldwide. Farms discharge agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, saline drainage, and other pollutants into water bodies. These pollutants can enter groundwater and degrade sources of drinking water, causing health issues in humans.
Agricultural activities have altered the natural flow of water, allowing agricultural chemicals to enter streams and aquifers. Nutrients from fertilizers and livestock manure, pesticides, and other substances can contaminate local streams, rivers, and groundwater through runoff, infiltration, and irrigation return flows. Rainfall and snowmelt also transport these pollutants to surface waters.
In the United States, agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water quality issues in rivers and streams, the third leading source for lakes, and the second-largest source of impairments to wetlands. About half a million tons of pesticides and 12 million tons of nitrogen are applied to crops annually, contributing to soil erosion, nutrient loss, and water pollution.
To mitigate these issues, nutrient management practices can be implemented, such as targeting fertilizer and manure application through soil testing and timing applications to minimize runoff. Storing livestock manure in protected areas and using drip irrigation can also help reduce pollution risks. Additionally, policies and incentives can encourage more sustainable and healthy diets, reducing food waste and minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture.
The impact of agricultural pollution on aquatic ecosystems is significant. Eutrophication caused by nutrient accumulation in lakes and coastal waters affects biodiversity and fisheries. High levels of nitrates in water can cause "blue baby syndrome," a potentially fatal illness in infants. The environmental and social costs of water pollution caused by agriculture are substantial, with billions of dollars in costs estimated annually in OECD countries.
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Natural attenuation and contamination
Groundwater pollution, or contamination, occurs when pollutants are released into the ground and make their way into groundwater. This type of water pollution can occur naturally due to the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent, contaminant, or impurity in the groundwater. It can also be caused by human activity, such as leaking sewers, petrol filling stations, and industrial waste.
Natural attenuation relies on natural processes to clean up or attenuate pollution in soil and groundwater. This process occurs at most polluted sites, but the right conditions must exist underground for it to work effectively. Scientists monitor or test these conditions to ensure that natural attenuation is working, and this is called monitored natural attenuation or MNA.
There are four ways in which nature can clean up chemical pollution:
- Tiny bugs or microbes that live in soil and groundwater use some chemicals for food. When they completely digest the chemicals, they can change them into water and harmless gases.
- Chemicals can stick or sorb to soil, which holds them in place. This does not clean up the chemicals, but it can keep them from polluting groundwater and leaving the site.
- Filtration, biodegradation, hydrolysis, adsorption, neutralization, volatilization, and dispersion.
- Microbially induced mineral precipitation applications, such as the clean-up of contaminated groundwater systems or reducing aquifer permeability.
There have been many studies on the natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment, and it has become a widely applied remedial option. For example, in a study of a coastal plain aquifer, the rates of biodegradation of toluene and benzene were observed to vary as a function of sediment type due to different levels of microbial activity.
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Prevention and management
Aquifer pollution is a pressing issue that can lead to dramatic water supply losses and poses significant health risks. Preventing contamination is far more cost-effective than managing it. Thus, a range of preventative measures are necessary. Firstly, the application of wastewater should be restricted to sites where groundwater is a minimum of 3m in depth. Additionally, the excessive drilling of wells should be avoided, as this can lead to salinization and pollution. Furthermore, the discharge of toxic chemicals, such as industrial solvents, pesticides, and pharmaceutical products, must be prevented.
The protection of aquifers is closely linked to land use management. Implementing land use restrictions, such as groundwater protection zones around potable water supply wells, is essential. It is also crucial to address the over-application of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, as these can contaminate groundwater.
To effectively manage aquifer pollution, regular monitoring of groundwater quality is vital. This includes the use of tools like the Groundwater Assessment Platform (GAP), which estimates the risk of contamination in a given area. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is another important strategy, where treated surface water is infiltrated to contribute to groundwater recharge.
When pollution occurs, management approaches include point-of-use water treatment, groundwater remediation, and, as a last resort, abandonment. It is also important to have proper sanitation measures and correctly placed wells to prevent the contamination of drinking water with pathogens.
Overall, preventing and managing aquifer pollution requires a comprehensive understanding of groundwater and aquifers, as well as collaboration between hydrogeologists and those involved in water resource and land use planning.
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Frequently asked questions
Groundwater pollution occurs when pollutants are released into the ground and make their way into groundwater.
Groundwater pollution can occur due to human activity and the absence of proactive aquifer protection policies. Some common causes include leaking sewers, petrol filling stations, hydraulic fracturing, and the over-application of fertilizers in agriculture.
Groundwater pollution can have serious health effects on humans and wildlife. It can cause waterborne diseases, poisoning, and even certain types of cancer due to exposure to polluted water.
Preventing groundwater pollution is crucial, and some methods include proper waste management, limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and ensuring that businesses follow rules and regulations designed to protect groundwater from contamination.
