Geospheric Water and Health Effects

Water on and beneath the surface of the geosphere plays a strong role in pollution and the distribution of toxic substances. Toxic substances from wastes improperly disposed to the geosphere can leach into groundwater and contaminate water supplies. Radioactive radium resulting from the decay of uranium in aquifer formations has caused some groundwater sources of drinking water to be abandoned. 

FIGURE 9.9 Tube wells sunk into arsenic-containing aquifer formations may yield water contaminated by toxic soluble arsenic. Use of the water for irrigation can contaminate soil with arsenic and provide a pathway for arsenic to get into food crops such as rice. The problem has been especially acute in Bangladesh, but has occurred in other parts of the world as well. 

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