Which soil factors tend to increase the vulnerability of groundwater?

Which soil factors tend to increase the vulnerability of groundwater?

• A. Coarse soil texture
• B. High soil permeability
• C. High soil organic matter
• D. Both A and B

Answer: (D)

Groundwater vulnerability is driven by how easily infiltrating water and dissolved contaminants can move through soil to reach groundwater. Coarse soil texture creates larger pore spaces and faster drainage, offering little filtration and allowing contaminants to pass through with less delay. High soil permeability means the soil has greater ability for water and solutes to move downward, so contaminants reach the groundwater more quickly and with less attenuation. High organic matter, on the other hand, tends to adsorb many contaminants and support microbial degradation, which can slow or reduce transport, so it doesn’t increase vulnerability in the same way. Therefore, the factors that raise vulnerability are coarse texture and high permeability, making both contribute to greater groundwater risk.

Groundwater vulnerability is driven by how easily infiltrating water and dissolved contaminants can move through soil to reach groundwater. Coarse soil texture creates larger pore spaces and faster drainage, offering little filtration and allowing contaminants to pass through with less delay. High soil permeability means the soil has greater ability for water and solutes to move downward, so contaminants reach the groundwater more quickly and with less attenuation. High organic matter, on the other hand, tends to adsorb many contaminants and support microbial degradation, which can slow or reduce transport, so it doesn’t increase vulnerability in the same way. Therefore, the factors that raise vulnerability are coarse texture and high permeability, making both contribute to greater groundwater risk.