All pollutants do not cause the same rate of contamination for the same amount of pollutant. Groundwater is affected by many of the following factors:
- The distance between the land surface where pollution occurs and the depth of the water table. The greater the distance, the greater the chance that the pollutant will biodegrade or react with soil minerals.
- The mineral composition of the soil and rocks in the unsaturated zone. Heavy soil and organic materials lessen the potential for contamination.
- The presence or absence of biodegrading microbes in the soil.
- The amount of rainfall. Less rainfall results in less water entering the saturated zone and, therefore, lower quantities of contaminants.
- The evapotranspiration rate. (This is the rate at which water is discharged into the atmosphere as a result of evaporation from the soil, surface water, and plants.) High rates reduce the amount of contaminated water reaching the saturated zone.
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