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Bacterial pollution of groundwater: A review

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Abstract

Contamination of groundwater resources from bacterial laden wastewater and effluents poses a great threat to the potability and use of these water sources. Future planning, development and management schemes must consider this topic to avoid costly and sometimes untested corrective actions. Major factors affecting the quantity and velocity at which bacteria are able to migrate through soil can be classified as (1) soil factors including particle size distribution, structure, clay content, pore size distribution and moisture regime, and (2) biological factors responsible for bacterial die-off including pH, temperature, moisture content, and nutrient supply. Past bacterial pollution problems have been shown to be localized and restricted to wells utilizing near-surface waters. The following problem areas exist and must be given special consideration in planning and development: (1) use of septic disposal systems in unsuitable soils; (2) drainage waters from wastewater application areas utilizing artificial drainage systems; (3) waste application in areas underlain by fractured crystalline rock or channelized bedrock; and (4) bacterial contamination induced over great distances by groundwater pumping.

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  1. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Stuart R. Crane & James A. Moore

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  1. Stuart R. Crane
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Crane, S.R., Moore, J.A. Bacterial pollution of groundwater: A review. Water Air Soil Pollut 22, 67–83 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00587465

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00587465

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