VOC contamination of groundwater
Have you ever seen a muddy puddle on the ground after it rains? Well, sometimes people accidentally make chemicals that end up in the ground and can mix with water, just like the rain mixes with the mud in the puddle.
One of these chemicals is called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are like little molecules that can easily turn from a liquid into a gas and float up into the air. This is why you might smell gasoline at a gas station - the gasoline has VOCs in it and they turn into a gas that you can smell.
But when VOCs get into the ground, they can mix with the water that is under the ground. This is called groundwater. And when the groundwater gets contaminated by the VOCs, it can be dangerous for people and animals who drink it or use it for other things like watering plants.
So, scientists have to test the groundwater to make sure it doesn't have too much VOC contamination. And if it does, they have to figure out how to clean it up so it is safe to use again. Just like if you spill your juice on the ground, you need to wipe it up so there are no stains left behind.
One of these chemicals is called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are like little molecules that can easily turn from a liquid into a gas and float up into the air. This is why you might smell gasoline at a gas station - the gasoline has VOCs in it and they turn into a gas that you can smell.
But when VOCs get into the ground, they can mix with the water that is under the ground. This is called groundwater. And when the groundwater gets contaminated by the VOCs, it can be dangerous for people and animals who drink it or use it for other things like watering plants.
So, scientists have to test the groundwater to make sure it doesn't have too much VOC contamination. And if it does, they have to figure out how to clean it up so it is safe to use again. Just like if you spill your juice on the ground, you need to wipe it up so there are no stains left behind.