FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

P.M.B 1526, OWERRI.

A SEMINAR PRESENTATION

ON

UNDERGROUND WATER POLLUTION

PRESENTED BY
NLEMOLISA, OLUCHI ROSE COLETTE.
(M.Sc., B.Sc. MICROBIOLOGY)

SUPERVISED BY
PROF. J.N. OGBULIE
PROF. (MRS) J.C. ORJI
PROF. C.O. NWEKE

NOVEMBER, 2023

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 ABSTRACT

Groundwater is water that exists underground, in saturated zones beneath the land surface. The
upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table. Groundwater contamination is a
global problem that has a significant impact on human health and ecological services.
Underground water contaminants are of natural and anthropogenic origin. Sources of pollution
can be categorized into two major types: point source pollution and non-point source pollution.
Point source pollution (example municipal sewage treatment plant and industrial plant, mining
activities, livestock farms and landfill sites) is any single identifiable source of pollution from
which pollutants are discharged, while non-point source pollution (diffuse sources such as
human land use, land use changes, chemical reactions of elements in the air or in the water and
polluted runoff from agricultural areas draining into a river) is characterized by multiple
discharge point. Point source is relatively easy to identify, quantify and control. On the other
hand, non-point source is difficult to monitor and control because the pollution cannot be traced
to a single point of discharge. Pollution occurrence depends on the level of contaminant
transported. Contaminants can be transported through filtration, sorption, chemical processes,
microbiological decomposition and dilution. Chemical elements widely detected in groundwater
include metals, such as zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd),
and metalloids, such as selenium (Se) and arsenic (As). Groundwater pollution may cause
ecosystem imbalance apart from severe sickness which may lead to death, it also affects the
socio-economic development. Prevention of groundwater pollution is more appropriate than
remediation. Such preventive measures include proper waste disposal, monitoring of hazardous
materials, conducting environmental audit periodically and intensifying health education while
remediation includes in-suit and ex-suit technology. Bioremediation strategies used in
remediation of groundwater are biosparging, bioagumentation, and bioreactor. In addition, most
pollution of groundwater is anthropocentric and can be prevented through intensive health
education.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of content
List of figure
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Environmental Pollution
2.1Types of pollution
2.2 Causes of pollution
2.2.1 Natural cause
2.2.2 Anthropogenic cause
2.3 Effect of pollution
2.3.1 Human health
2.3.2 Environment
3.0 Underground water pollution

3.1 Mechanisms of Groundwater Pollution

3.2 Major Contaminants

3.3 Pollution classification

3.3.1 Anthropogenic and Natural Pollution Sources

3.3.2 Point source and non-point source.

3.3.2.1 Point source

3.3.2.2 Non-point source

3.4 Types of underground water pollutants

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3.4.1 Chemical contaminants

3.4.2 Radioactive contaminants

3.4.3 Biological contaminants

4.0 Impact of underground water pollution

4.1 Prevention and Remediation of groundwater pollution

4.1.1 Prevention of groundwater pollution

4.1.2 Remediation of groundwater pollution

4.1.2.1 Bioremediation strategies In-Situ Bioremediation

5.0 Conclusion

Reference

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Overview of main health effects on humans from some common types of pollution
Figure 2: Possible water pollutant.

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