Chemical hydrogeology, including organic and inorganic aspects, has contributed to an

increased understanding of groundwater flow systems, geologic processes, and stressed

environments. Most of the basic principles of inorganic-chemical hydrogeology were first
established by investigations of organic-free, regional-scale systems for which simplifying
assumptions could be made. The problems of groundwater contamination are causing a shift of
emphasis to microscale systems that are dominated by organic-chemical reactions and that are
providing an impetus for the study of naturally occurring and manmade organic material. Along
with the decrease in scale, physical and chemical heterogeneity become major controls.