Sources of Groundwater Pollution

Abstract

In many regions in the world, groundwater represents an important source of fresh water. It is now established that several contaminants enter groundwater from a number of sources and pathways. These sources are both natural and anthropogenic. Contamination of groundwater resources by a variety of anthropogenic pollutants from both point and nonpoint sources represents a key global environmental problem. The most frequently identified contaminant sources are industrial manufacturing, agricultural activities, municipal landfills, and wastes. Frequently detected contaminants included nitrates, volatile organic compounds, arsenic, and fluorides. Other contaminant species include solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, disinfectants, detergents, and radionuclides. In this chapter, the main sources and pathways for contaminants in groundwater are reviewed. It identifies challenges that need to be met to minimize risk to drinking water and ecosystems. Particular attention is paid to the occurrence of known and potential endocrine disrupting substances in groundwater.