Impact of cemeteries on groundwater chemistry: A review

Studies on the impact of cemeteries on groundwater quality were initiated by van Haaren in 1951, and were occasionally undertaken in the 1970s and 1980s in Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and South Africa. Regular studies only began in the late 1980s and were continued in the 1990s in Brazil, South Africa, Australia and Poland. On a smaller scale, this kind of research was also undertaken in other countries such as the USA, Portugal, and France. An overview of the results of those studies and focuses on the environmental conditions is presented, which according to current research, highlights the hazards associated with the significant chemical contamination of water.

► Regular studies on the impact of cemeteries on the groundwater quality began in the late 1980s.
► An overview focuses on the environmental conditions.
► Cemeteries adversely affect of chemical contamination of the water.