The results of contamination of the water include:

• A. All of the above
• B. Air pollution
• C. Soil contamination
• D. Contaminated groundwater

Answer: (A)

Water contamination can spread pollutants to other environmental media, so the results can include air pollution, soil contamination, and groundwater contamination. Contaminants dissolved or suspended in water can volatilize and enter the air, especially volatile substances. They can also deposit onto or be absorbed by soils along the water’s path, leading to soil contamination, and can infiltrate through soil into groundwater, creating contaminated groundwater. Because a single contamination event can affect multiple media, the best answer is all of the above. In practice, addressing water contamination helps protect air, soil, and groundwater from the spread of pollutants.