Solution Exercise 4

There are three principal sources of DOC to groundwater. The first are allochthonous sources derived from plant material at land surface and transported to aquifers by infiltrating recharge water. Allochthonous DOC is typically the major source of DOC to shallow water table aquifers. The second major source is autochthonous DOC derived from particulate organic carbon that was buried with aquifer sediments at the time of deposition. Autochthonous DOC is typically a more important source of DOC to deeper confined aquifers. Finally, there are anthropogenic sources (carbon derived from human activities) of DOC as well. These anthropogenic sources include chemical contaminants such as human sewage, petroleum hydrocarbons or chlorinated solvents, DOC derived from agricultural activities, and animal husbandry practices.

Return to Exercise 4

License

Dissolved Organic Carbon in Groundwater Systems Copyright © 2022 by Francis H. Chapelle. All Rights Reserved.