Groundwater is naturally purified primarily through the process of filtration as it flows through soil and rock layers. This process involves the following mechanisms:
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Filtration by Soil: As water percolates through soil layers, it is filtered by the various soil particles. Larger particles, pollutants, and pathogens are trapped, while the smaller water molecules can pass through.
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Adsorption: Contaminants can adhere to the surfaces of sand, clay, and organic materials in the soil, which helps remove them from the water.
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Chemical Reactions: Some impurities can undergo chemical reactions in the presence of soil minerals that can neutralize or transform them into less harmful substances.
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Biodegradation: Microorganisms in the soil can break down organic contaminants, thus purifying the water.
While impurities can precipitate out and the water in aquifers can take a long time to purify, the primary and most significant method of natural purification is indeed the filtration process through soil and rock. Water being purified by freezing is less common and not a primary method of groundwater purification.
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