Name: Jean K.
Status: Other
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: March 2001
Question:
I am an education student studying to be a elementary
education teacher. I want to know where I can find information on the
following for lessons I am developing.
What role does soil play in water filtration?
Replies:
Soil definitely supplies a cleansing action to groundwater. This action may
be biological or mechanical, or both. Many drinking water treatment
facilities attempt to mimic this mechanical effect by using what is referred
to as "rapid sand filtration". Any basic text on environmental engineering
can provide extensive details on this topic.
Although much groundwater is high in water quality and may be used without
treatment, the soil may also impart impurities to water. Sometimes these
impurities are natural (radon, excessive dissolved minerals) while often
they are the result of human activity (chemicals, bacteria from animal and
human waste.)
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.
