Which of the following is typically lower in groundwater compared to surface water?

Groundwater typically has a lower concentration of microorganisms compared to surface water due to several factors. In surface water, there is more exposure to environmental conditions that foster the growth of bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms, such as sunlight and organic matter. In contrast, groundwater is often more shielded from these influences, existing in underground aquifers where conditions are less favorable for microbial proliferation. The lack of nutrients and exposure to oxygen, along with natural filtration through soil and rock layers, contributes to the lower levels of microbial life.

Other components, like dissolved minerals, gases, and particulates, can be present in varying amounts in groundwater compared to surface water, but they do not typically demonstrate the same pronounced difference as microorganisms do.