Uncovering Hidden Pollution: How Farm Waste is Poisoning Our Water

In the heart of South Korea, a five-year study (2018-2022) uncovered a troubling truth about our water. Researchers dug deep into the fractured bedrock aquifers beneath a research farm in northeastern Seoul. They used a mix of science tools to understand how nitrogen pollution was spreading.

The Discovery

The team found something surprising. The water underground was split in two:

• Western Side: A slow-moving, polluted river.
• High levels of harmful substances:
• Nitrite
• Ammonium

• Fecal coliform

• Eastern Side: Cleaner, with:
• More water flow
• Better natural cleaning processes

The Culprit

Where was all this pollution coming from? The answer was clear: farm waste.

• Livestock manure (both composted and in slurry form) was the main source.
• Over 93% of the nitrogen pollution came from these sources.

This wasn't just a local problem. It showed how easily pollution can spread in fractured rock systems.

Key Insight

The study also revealed something important:

• The way the rock was formed played a big role in how pollution spread.
• This knowledge is crucial for managing groundwater worldwide.
• It's a wake-up call to think about how we treat our land and water.