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Difficulty: EasyPollution Types, Causes, Effects, and Control

Arrange the following sequential steps in the correct order to describe how unlined municipal landfills lead to groundwater contamination.

  1. 1Solid domestic and industrial wastes accumulate at an unlined landfill site.
  2. 2Rainwater percolates through waste layers, dissolving soluble toxins to form leachate.
  3. 3Toxic leachate seeps downward through soil layers into the underground water table.
  4. 4Contaminated groundwater migrates into nearby drinking water wells and streams.

Answer

The correct order begins with waste accumulation at an unlined landfill, followed by rainwater percolation forming leachate, seepage of leachate into the underground water table, and finally the migration of contaminated water into drinking wells.
The correct sequence follows the natural environmental pathway: waste accumulation acts as the pollutant source, rainwater dissolves toxins to form leachate, gravity drives leachate down into underground aquifers, and groundwater flow spreads contaminants to water supplies.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the origin of environmental pollutants.
Unmanaged waste accumulation at the landfill site serves as the starting point.
Pollution sequence must originate from the primary waste source.
2
Determine the fluid formation process.
Rainwater infiltrates the landfill to produce toxic liquid leachate.
Leachate is generated when water dissolves soluble chemicals in waste.
3
Trace the vertical transport of the liquid contaminant.
Leachate seeps downward into the underground water table (aquifer).
In the absence of a protective landfill liner, gravity pulls liquid waste into subterranean water layers.
4
Identify the ultimate environmental impact.
Contaminated groundwater flows into drinking water sources.
Subterranean water currents transport toxins to human wells and surrounding ecosystems.

Key Concept

Landfill Leachate Formation and Groundwater Contamination
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Pollution Types, Causes, Effects, and Control

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