How does groundwater contamination differ from surface water contamination?

Groundwater contamination often involves soil and rock layers because groundwater is found below the Earth's surface, typically residing within aquifers. When contaminants are introduced into the environment, they can permeate through the soil and rock, affecting the water quality by infiltrating the groundwater source. The geologic formations can influence how quickly contaminants move and spread, as different types of soil and rock have varying permeabilities and adsorption characteristics.

In contrast, surface water contamination occurs primarily in lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, where pollutants are often more readily detectable and can be addressed through physical remediation methods such as filtration or water treatment processes.

Therefore, recognizing that groundwater is more closely associated with subsurface layers is crucial for understanding the unique challenges associated with its contamination.