Pradyumna-GwP An Overview

GROUNDWATER POLLUTION : AN
OVERVIEW
Pradyumna Dalai
Regd No:1301110008
8th Semester
Dept. Of Civil Engg.
Contents
Introduction
Importance of Groundwater
Sources of Groundwater Contamination
Prevention from Groundwater Pollution
Participation of Industries and Community
Groundwater Remediation
Typical Groundwater Contaminants
Conclusion
References
Introduction
Groundwater is water present below the ground surface that

saturates the pore space in the subsurface.
At least 50% of the world population depends on groundwater as

a source of drinking water.
Other uses of groundwater includes Irrigation of crops,

Industrial uses etc.
Groundwater is a part of natural water cycle therefore, it can

spread throughout the cycle and if contaminated, can cause
damage to other entities ( Sea life, lakes, human health etc)
Groundwater can be polluted / contaminated as a result of

Human activity and Natural conditions.
Sources of Groundwater Pollution
Leaking Fuel and Chemical

Tanks
Improper use of
contaminated water
Industrial Chemical spills
Industrial Emissions
Extensive use of Badly Managed Landfill

Pesticides, Herbicides
Drainage of house hold
and fertilizers
chemicals
Prevention of Groundwater Contamination
Once Groundwater gets contaminated, it may be difficult and

expensive to clean it up, therefore,
The best way to deal with groundwater contamination is not to

contaminate it in the first place
Participation of Industries:
Minimize use of Toxic / Hazardous Raw Materials
Maintain Integrity of the Storage Tanks, Pipelines, surface
impoundments
Adopt Good Engineering Practices for selecting proper
material for tanks and pipes.
Manage Properly: Waste materials, their transport and
disposal.
Install Monitoring Wells
Monitor Periodically: Groundwater quality
Participation of Community:
Minimize use of house hold chemicals containing Hazardous

substances.
Avoid draining chemicals, motor oil, insecticides in community
areas.
Reduce pesticide application
Use proper procedures for handling chemicals (Paints,
Pesticides, Insecticides, polishing materials, cleaning chemicals
and detergents).
Immediately clean any spills and report any leakages to
concerned department.
Groundwater Remediation
Groundwater remediation is the process that is used to remove

pollution from groundwater.
Pollutants and contaminants can be removed from groundwater

by applying various techniques thereby making the
groundwater safe for use.
Groundwater remediation techniques are mainly divided into

two technologies: Ex-Situ Technology and In-Situ
Technology
Ex-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater by de-
watering the polluted aquifer (pumping out), then treating the
water on surface by Physical, chemical or biological
technology and finally re-injecting the treated water to the
aquifer.
In-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater within

the aquifer (in the sub-surface) by using thermal, chemical
and biological treatment technology.
Remediation Techniques
Ex-Situ Technology:
Extraction of groundwater from aquifer , treat above ground.
and return the treated water to the aquifer. Extraction is done
by pumping groundwater from the well or trench and treat
them with a variety of techniques such as :
Stream stripping
Involves treatment by introducing steam which extract the
contaminants from the pumped out groundwater. The
extracted steam along with contaminants can be recovered
from the condensate or treated further by incineration.
Oxygen Sparging
Involves introduction of oxidizing/reducing agents ( O3, H2O2,
Hypochlorite) to chemically convert the toxic contaminants to
less toxic compounds.
Bioremediation
Involves treatment of pumped up groundwater by air
(biodegradation) with careful control of moisture, heat
nutrients, oxygen and pH.
Carbon Adsorption
Involves passing the contaminated pumped up groundwater
through activated carbon column in which contaminants gets
adsorbed.
Remediation Techniques
In-Situ Remediation Technology:
Involves treatment of groundwater (in-place) without extracting
the water from aquifer. There are several treatment techniques
used for in-situ groundwater treatment such as:
Bioremediation:
Involves injection of oxygen to enhance the biodegradation.
This treatment also combines injection of degrading bacteria
and nutrients into aquifer to stimulate biodegradation.
Chemical Oxidation:
Involves Reduction-Oxidation reactions that chemically converts
hazardous contaminants to less toxic compounds. Cyanide
oxidation and de-chlorination are the typical examples of
chemical oxidation.
Thermal Treatment:
Involves increase in temperature of the source zone to
increase the mobility of the pollutants. The mobility facilitate
removal of pollutants and can also results in In-Situ
destruction of contaminants.
Phythoremediation
It involves the use of macroscopic plants to destroy, remove,
immobilize and treat contaminants. This process does not
use microorganisms.
Groundwater Contaminants
Several man made chemicals are referred to as

Groundwater contaminants because of their extensive use,
accidental spills and leaks, mismanagement and illegal
dumping. Some of the popular contaminants are the
following:
DNAPL (Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids )
LNAPL (Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids)
Inorganic Chemicals ( Ammonia, Cyanide, Fluoride)
Metals
Bacteria and Viruses

Treatment of Ammonia
Ammonia is one of the major pollutants which contaminates

groundwater. Ammonia contamination could lead to Sea Water
Pollution. Being Toxic to Aquatic Organism, Remediation of
Ammonia is very important.
These technologies includes:
Pump and Treat by Ammonia Stripping
Pump and Treat by Air Stripping and further Nitrification
Pump and Treat by Ion Exchange

Conclusion
1. Prevention from groundwater contamination is the

best Remedial Option.
2. Mostly, groundwater contaminants are of industrial origin.
3. Environmental Awareness Programs Including groundwater

prevention should be Implemented for Community.
REFERENCES
Balderacchi, M., Benoit, P., Cambier, P et al. (2013).

Groundwater Pollution and Quality Monitoring Approaches at
the European Level.
Anandakumar,S., T.Subramani., L,
Elango,2009.Major Ion Groundwater Chemistry of
Lower Bhavani River Basin,TamilNadu, India. Journal
of Applied Geochemistry., Vol.11No.1Pp 92101.
Karanth, K.R., 1987. Groundwater
Assessment,Developmentand Management.Tata
McGraw Hill,NewDelhi,pp: 720.
Prevention Pays - Remedy Costs
and
The Prevention is in Our Hands
THANK YOU

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GROUNDWATER POLLUTION : AN

Groundwater is water present below the ground surface that

At least 50% of the world population depends on groundwater as

Other uses of groundwater includes Irrigation of crops,

Groundwater is a part of natural water cycle therefore, it can

Groundwater can be polluted / contaminated as a result of

Leaking Fuel and Chemical

Industrial Chemical spills

Extensive use of Badly Managed Landfill

Once Groundwater gets contaminated, it may be difficult and

The best way to deal with groundwater contamination is not to

Minimize use of house hold chemicals containing Hazardous

Groundwater remediation is the process that is used to remove

Pollutants and contaminants can be removed from groundwater

Groundwater remediation techniques are mainly divided into

In-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater within

Several man made chemicals are referred to as

DNAPL (Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids )

LNAPL (Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids)

Inorganic Chemicals ( Ammonia, Cyanide, Fluoride)

Bacteria and Viruses

Ammonia is one of the major pollutants which contaminates

These technologies includes:

Pump and Treat by Ammonia Stripping

Pump and Treat by Air Stripping and further Nitrification

Pump and Treat by Ion Exchange

1. Prevention from groundwater contamination is the

2. Mostly, groundwater contaminants are of industrial origin.

3. Environmental Awareness Programs Including groundwater

Balderacchi, M., Benoit, P., Cambier, P et al. (2013).

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