This map shows contours of the water table and the location of a factory that contaminated groundwater.Which way will the contamination flow?
A) northwest, up the contours
B) southwest, parallel to the contours
C) southeast, down the contours
D) no direction because the movement of contamination is independent of groundwater

Question

This map shows contours of the water table and the location of a factory that contaminated groundwater.Which way will the contamination flow? 
A) northwest, up the contours 
B) southwest, parallel to the contours 
C) southeast, down the contours 
D) no direction because the movement of contamination is independent of groundwater

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The contamination will flow southeast, down the contours, towards the lower elevation areas where the water table is closer to the surface. Groundwater generally flows perpendicular to the contours, so it will follow the contours downhill towards the southeast.

This Map Shows Contours of the Water Table and the Location