Groundwater Contamination
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Groundwater ContaminationHow does groundwater become contaminated? When precipitation or other water hits the ground, it is soaked up and becomes groundwater. Rocks and soil hold groundwater until it either runs down into a body of water or until it is removed for consumption. Groundwater can become contaminated through a number of sources, both natural and man-made. The following are some of the most prevalent sources of contamination: · Agricultural products and by-products – These are particularly harmful if they are used proximate to a well or other direct opening to the water table. Products such as pesticides, weed killers, and fertilizers should not be used near wells, and should be stored carefully. · Storage tanks – These tanks can be found on farms, industrial sites, or residences, above ground or below. Storage tanks often contain gasoline, oil, or chemicals. If their integrity is compromised, possibly from deterioration, their contents can leak into the ground. · Injection wells – Injection wells are waste disposal systems that are not connected to a sewage line. Examples of these are septic tanks or cesspools. They are intended to drain domestic waste into the soil at a very slow rate. Contamination can occur when they drain too fast, are placed uphill from groundwater, or, worst of all, when they are used to dispose of foreign chemicals such as household products. Bacteria, viruses, nitrates from human waste, organic and inorganic chemicals can all result from problems with injection wells. · Household chemicals – Examples are paints, synthetic detergents, solvents, oils, medicines, disinfectants, pool chemicals, pesticides, battery acid, gasoline, and diesel fuel. These chemicals must be kept clear of sewage drains, and should be taken to landfills for disposal. Typically, landfills have a protective bottom layer to prevent water contamination. However, if this layer has broken down, contamination can occur there as well. · Industrial chemical spills – These spills are often not cleaned up properly or promptly, leading to contamination of the surrounding area. Small spills must be cleaned with absorption products. Washing them away will cause contamination. Larger spills must be treated using other methods. · Hazardous waste – Sites that handle hazardous materials can be mismanaged in numerous ways, leaking very dangerous chemicals into the ground. · Road salts – When these wash clear of the roads, they pollute the surrounding soil. · Natural deposits of chemicals – These can erode directly into our water sources, and many of them have dangerous effects when consumed. · Animal waste – This can leave bacteria and parasites in water that will cause health problems. What types of contaminants can be found in groundwater? Groundwater contaminants can best be divided into six categories: 1. Microorganisms – The presence of microorganisms such as coliform and e-coli bacteria or the Cryptosporidium or Giardia lamblia parasites indicate feces or sewage in a water source. 2. Disinfectants – Chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and chloramines are used to kill germs such as e-coli and giardia. However, excess amounts of the disinfectant can have detrimental effects as well. 3. Disinfectant Byproducts – These occur when disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter in water. Examples include total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, bromate, and chlorite. 4. Inorganic chemicals – These often result from industry, construction, infrastructure maintenance, or the water lines. The fluoride that some communities add to their water, the lead or copper in pipes, arsenic, asbestos, and other elements or compounds can all be unhealthy. 5. Organic chemicals – A grocery list of organic compounds, from Alachlor to Xylene, can be harmful if consumed. Agricultural chemicals and industrial waste from factories and refineries are the main contributors of organic chemicals. 6. Radionuclides – These natural or man-made radioactive materials are very carcinogenic. They are subcategorized by their type of radioactivity: alpha-emitters, beta-/photon-emitters, radon, and radium 226 or 228. What types of health problems occur due to contaminated groundwater? Microorganisms typically cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting. Cryptosporidium, while ordinarily fairly mild, can be fatal to those with weakened immune systems. The disinfectants chlorine and chloramine tend to irritate the eyes and nose and cause stomach discomfort. Chloramines can also cause anemia. Chlorine dioxide has had nervous system effects on young children and fetuses, and it can cause anemia in adults. Many disinfectant byproducts, such as total trialomethanes, haloacetic acids, and bromate can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Total trihalomethanes can also affect the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system. Chlorite and chlorine dioxide cause similar reactions: young children, infants, and fetuses can retain damage to the nervous system, while adults can become anemic. Inorganic contaminants are varied in effect. Drinking water tainted with arsenic over the course of years can cause skin damage, respiratory problems, and increase the risk of cancer. Fluoride can, at high levels, result in bone disease. Children are even more susceptible to its negative effects. At levels of 2 mg per liter – less than half what it takes to cause bone disease – children can develop pitting or discoloration of new teeth. High levels of lead can cause damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. Health problems from other inorganic contaminants vary with exposure. However, exposure over very long periods can, depending on the chemical, lead to damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, testicles, and bones as well as hair and fingernail loss. Inorganic contaminants can also be carcinogenic. Exposure to organic contaminants can cause a gamut of health problems affecting the cardiovascular, circulatory, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. Some of them have also been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Over years of exposure, radionuclides can cause cancer. |