- What do you mean by groundwater contamination?
- How are groundwater contaminated?
- Why is groundwater contamination important?
- How do landfills pollute groundwater?
- Why does water get contaminated?
- How is groundwater contamination treated?
- How do you prevent contamination of groundwater with leachate from a landfill?
What do you mean by groundwater contamination?
Groundwater pollution (also called groundwater contamination) occurs when pollutants are released to the ground and make their way into groundwater. ... Using polluted groundwater causes hazards to public health through poisoning or the spread of disease (water-borne diseases).
How are groundwater contaminated?
Groundwater contamination occurs when man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use. ... Road salt, toxic substances from mining sites, and used motor oil also may seep into groundwater.
Why is groundwater contamination important?
When these substances seep into the groundwater, the water could become unsafe to use and drink. It's also possible for fertilizers and pesticides to get into groundwater over time, which leads to the development of pollution that adversely affects the groundwater and the surrounding environment.
How do landfills pollute groundwater?
The solid waste placed in landfills or open dumps are subjected to either groundwater underflow or infiltration from precipitation or any other possibility of infiltration of water. ... Such contamination of groundwater results in a substantial risk to local groundwater resource user and to the natural environment.
Why does water get contaminated?
There are many sources of water contamination, including naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (for example, arsenic, radon, uranium), local land use practices (fertilizers, pesticides, concentrated feeding operations), manufacturing processes, and sewer overflows or wastewater releases.
How is groundwater contamination treated?
Groundwater generally is treated by drilling recovery wells to pump contaminated water to the surface. Commonly used groundwater treatment approaches include air stripping, filtering with granulated activated carbon (GAC), and air sparging. Air stripping transfers volatile compounds from water to air.
How do you prevent contamination of groundwater with leachate from a landfill?
Modern sanitary landfills are constructed to prevent leachate contamination of groundwater or surface waters. The bottom of the landfill is lined with impermeable layers, and the leachate is collected and treated before being released to the environment.