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Australia has a widespread and significant incidence of land and water contamination, which can lead to economic, trade, ecosystem and human health impacts. Over the past 20 years the problem has been growing and there is also a growing realization of the extent of the problem. The installation of monitoring network is pivotal for understanding the groundwater hydraulics and subsurface contamination. At the same time the process is expensive. The systematic study of the subsurface system with the available scanty data regarding the groundwater flow and the subsurface contamination can help us to arrive at the optimum monitoring network design for effective site characterization.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-48).

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This investigation characterized karstic and nearshore environments of Bermuda to describe 1) behavior and periodicity of cave springs; 2) submarine spring water quality; and 3) nearshore marine seagrass density. Caves can be conduits for groundwater pollution where terrestrial anthropogenic processes leach nutrient enriched water into marine caves springs that flow directly into coastal waters. Seagrass may serve as an environmental indicator due to its susceptibility to anthropogenic pollution. In 2007, environmental water monitoring devices were moored at the entrance of coastal cave springs throughout Bermuda to retrieve data on water quality, flow volume, velocity and direction. Nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, nitrite, and ammonium) and fecal bacteria (Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli) were measured in each cave. To qualify a link between terrestrial pollution and the nearshore environment, seagrass density within 100 m from cave entrances were measured. Bermuda caves were tidally influenced. Caves in Harrington Sound showed a delayed tidal flux with smaller ranges due to the restricted tidal inlet. Four caves exhibited a 1:1 in:out flow ratio. Caves with an imbalance flow ratio could be influenced by additional entrances, connection to an alternate water body, or cave geometry. Cave water was similar between caves. Environmental parameters and nutrients changed together, excluding seasonal variations in temperature (17.89 to 22.94 degrees C). Higher nutrients and fecal coliforms within caves indicated sewage may be leaching into the subsurface ground water system. Three seagrass species were evenly distributed within patchy meadows. Densities ranged from 0.91 to 4.5 (on a Braun-Blanket Scale). Higher mean densities in Harrington Sound, suggested the enclosed, protected nature of the sound allowed for reduced wave and current action. Syringodium filiforme decreased in density towards the ocean signifying a direct influence of cave water on seagrass beds. Tidal in and out-flux allowed for a constantly changing environment suitable for a mixture of seagrass species. Higher dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations were associated with locations lacking seagrass. This study found 1) cave springs connected groundwater and nearshore seagrass ecosystems; and 2) components associated with terrestrial sewage pollution (DIN, HPO4=, and Enterococcus spp.) were higher within caves than nearshore waters.

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M. Tech. / Background: Groundwater is essential for many human activities, especially as a source of drinking water. Contaminated groundwater threatens many valuable water resources which may have adverse human health consequences. Groundwater contamination often goes unnoticed as it occurs underground and it is often impossible to, and often very expensive to rehabilitate. Groundwater pollution originating from industrial sites is a general problem in many industrialized countries, but also in developing countries such as South Africa. Among the various types of groundwater contamination, DNAPL (Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids) contamination is a common one. A generic test for determining DNAPL contamination in water and their adverse effects on human health that consume this water does not exist. This study was aimed, by using two known immunoassays, to asses the toxicity and DNA damaging potential, using known techniques, of two index DNAPL and untested groundwater from newly drilled boreholes in areas suspected of DNAPL contamination. Objectives: To compile a DNAPL guideline based the use of index chemicals (Tricloroethylene [TCE] and Aroclor® 1254 [ARO]) to determine the high-end values and a series of reference (non-contaminated ground, and other treated waters) samples used to determine low-end values. PBMC were exposed to these samples and the test reactions for cytotoxicity and DNA damage measured. The methodology was then applied to groundwaters taken from an industrial site. This was to establish the health effects of these waters as well as determining whether they had DNAPL contamination.