ABSTRACT
Geoenvironment comprises rocks, soils, fluids, gases and organisms. It is linked to and influenced by, climate, terrain, and vegetal cover. Human activities affect the geological, physical, chemical and biochemical processes taking place in rocks, soils, hydrological systems and associated media. Surface water and groundwater are the components of the geoenvironment that by far the most affected by man. Protection of surface water from depletion and pollution (chemical, organic, thermal, mechanical, etc. contamination) constitute the most important task of the community, for the simple reason, when once the water (particularly groundwater) gets badly polluted, it is horrendously difficult, sometimes even impossible, to detoxify it. Microorganisms affect the hydrochemical processes and water quality. For instance, thionine bacteria oxidize hydrogen sulphide to sulphuric acid, and render the water more corrosive. Atmospheric pollution can penetrate the hydrosphere and biosphere, and can bring about undesirable changes in climate, soils, vegetation and water quality. The issues of water pollution are discussed under different headings: sources
(contaminants generated by activities, such as, agriculture, mining, industrial and households, etc.,) and types (inorganic and organic, biological and radioactive contamination). Pollutants may enter the surface water directly, and the groundwater through
fractures/pores in rocks and soils. Dissolved pollutants in the surface water move much faster than the dissolved constituents in the groundwater. The hydraulic connection between the groundwater and the surface water has a profound implication – for
instance, steps taken to protect the groundwater quality by reducing infiltration into the groundwater may lead to greater runoff, and consequent effect of river flow and quality.
