Groundwater quality refers to the physicochemical, biological, and radiological characteristics of subsurface water that determine its suitability for specific uses and its impacts on ecological and human health. It is governed by source geology, residence time, redox conditions, and hydrologic flow paths, as well as anthropogenic inputs such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial effluents, mining activities, and urban wastewater. Key parameters include major ions, trace metals, nutrients, organic contaminants, pathogens, and emerging pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, PFAS), commonly assessed via monitoring networks, hydrochemical modeling, and risk assessment frameworks to support resource management, remediation strategies, and regulatory standards.
The world is looking for more clean water. Intense storms and warmer weather have worsened droughts and reduced the amount of clean water underground and in rivers and lakes on the surface.
Environment
Feb 4, 2026
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Deep beneath the Earth's surface, in the pores and crevices of rock, live huge communities of microorganisms. They are invisible to the naked eye—yet they play a central role in the quality of our groundwater and in global ...
Ecology
Feb 2, 2026
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13
Kristen Hanneman made a small decision in 2022 that would upend life for her entire town.
Environment
Feb 2, 2026
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100
No matter where you live in the United States, you have likely seen headlines about PFAS being detected in everything from drinking water to fish to milk to human bodies.
Environment
Jan 29, 2026
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Underground environments like soil and aquifers teem with microbial life. These tiny microbes play a big role in cycling nutrients and breaking down or transforming pollutants. However, scientists still struggle to reliably ...
Earth Sciences
Jan 13, 2026
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27
Recent reports of wells drying up in New Hampshire reflect a pattern we're increasingly seeing across New England: extended dry periods and below-normal precipitation are stressing shallow groundwater systems that many homeowners ...
Earth Sciences
Jan 7, 2026
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15
Water is a vital resource. Life on Earth, as we know it, is impossible without access to safe drinking water. Concerns over declining quality and consistency of municipal drinking water supplied to consumers have been increasing ...
Environment
Dec 17, 2025
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As a geochemist studying New Zealand's freshwater systems, I've spent years tracking the subtle chemical shifts in our rivers and lakes.
Ecology
Dec 2, 2025
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12
A Washington State University-led study in Guatemala found the sources of drinking water people believe to be safe and clean often contain potentially dangerous bacteria.
Environment
Nov 19, 2025
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14
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have identified the source and the factors affecting the radioactive cesium (137Cs) flow to the port of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant via its drainage channels. Using tritium ...
Earth Sciences
Oct 24, 2025
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