Groundwater Pollution: Impacts on Human Health Fate and transport of microbial contaminants (MS number 40)

Microbial contamination of groundwater by viruses, bacteria and parasitic protozoa is a significant human health problem when drinking water supplies are untreated or inadequately treated. The decision to treat groundwater supplies. If sufficient resources are available, often depends upon the adequacy of pathogen and/or indicator organism attenuation in the subsurface. Microbial fate and transport processes govern attenuation in the subsurface. Hence, a thorough understanding of the mechanism and factors affecting the fate and support of microbial contaminants in the subsurface environment is essential for the protection of public health from waterborne disease. [...] Microbial transport is mainly controlled by advection whereas the key processes governing the fate of microorganisms are retention onto aquifer solid surfaces and inactivation (or survival) of the microbes. Groundwater chemistry and moisture content are identified as two of the main physiochemical factors that influence the retention and survival of microorganisms in the subsurface. Finally, the importance of linking this fundamental science to the development of appropriate public policy and land use strategy is highlighted