Ground Water Pollution

Water pollution can make water source pollution like groundwater and other surface water. If the surround environment of water polluted spread over the land, then the pollutant can seep into the ground and make groundwater pollution. Groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly effect surface water bodies, and the distinction of point vs nonpoint source may be relevant. Chemical spill or ongoing releases of chemical or radionuclide contaminants into soil may not create point source or non-point source pollution, but can contaminate the aquifer below, defined as a toxin plume. The movement of the plume, called a plume front, may be analyzed through a hydrological transport model or groundwater model. Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on the soil characteristics and site geology, hydrogeology, hydrology and the nature of the contaminants.

Naturally some chemicals may available on the soil like calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, etc., the concentration is often the key in determining what is a natural component of water, and what is a contaminant. High concentrations of naturally occurring substances can have negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna. Other natural and anthropogenic substances may cause turbidity (cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth, and clogs the gills of some fish species.