A comparative evaluation of groundwater suitability for irrigation and drinking purposes in two intensively cultivated districts of Punjab, India

Punjab is the most cultivated state in India with the highest consumption of fertilizers. Patiala and Muktsar districts are two agricultural dominated districts of Punjab located in extreme south-east and south-west of the state. This paper highlights temporal variations of the groundwater quality and compares its suitability for irrigation and drinking purpose in these two districts. Water samples were collected in March and September 2003, representing the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. Water samples were analysed for almost all major cations, anions, dissolved heavy metals and turbidity. Parameters like sodium adsorption ratio, % sodium, residual sodium carbonate, total hardness, potential salinity, Kelley’s ratio, magnesium ratio, index of base exchange and permeability index were calculated on the basis of chemical data. A questionnaire was also used to investigate perception of villagers on taste and odour. Comparison of the concentration of the chemical constituents with WHO (world health organization) drinking water standards of 2004 and various classifications show that present status of groundwater in Patiala is better for irrigation and drinking purposes except for a few locations with a caution that it may deteriorate in near future. In Muktsar, groundwater is not suitable for drinking. Higher total hardness (TH) and total dissolved solids at numerous places indicate the unsuitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation. Results obtained in this forms baseline data for the utility of groundwater. In terms of monsoon impact, Patiala groundwater shows dilution and flushing but Muktsar samples show excessive leaching of different chemical components into the groundwater leading to the enrichment of different anions and cations indicating pollution from extraneous sources. No clear correlation between the quality parameters studied here and perceived quality in terms of satisfactory taste response were obtained at electrical conductivity values higher than the threshold minimum acceptable value.     

Modeling pollutant migration in the Upper Palar River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India

 Palar River Basin, a crystalline rock region in North Arcot District (Tamil Nadu), India, possesses vast groundwater potential along and near the river course and its lands are fertile. Serious contamination of both surface water and groundwater has been reported in this basin as a result of uncontrolled discharge of untreated effluents by the tanning industries for the last three decades. The health of the rural farming community and people working in the tanning industries has been seriously affected and they are suffering from occupational diseases such as asthma, chromium ulcers and skin diseases. About an 11000 hectares area of fertile land has lost its fertility. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration in groundwater at some pockets varies from 3000 to 10000 mg/l. As the discharge of effluents is continuing, a prognosis of further pollutant migration is carried out using a mathematical model. A numerical model of the Upper Palar River Basin was developed using the finite difference technique coupled with method of characteristics and used to predict TDS migration for the next 20 years. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to identify the parameters which are influencing the contaminant migration. Sensitivity analysis shows that advection and not dispersion is the predominant mode of solute migration in Palar Basin. Prognosis using the model confirms that the polluted area zone as well as the concentration of pollutants in the groundwater will continue to increase in future. The study also indicated that even if the pollutant sources are reduced to 25% of the present level, the TDS concentration level in the groundwater, even after 20 years, will not be reduced below 50% of its 1992 level. Received: 20 June 1998 · Accepted: 26 October 1998     

Groundwater quality assessment in parts of Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria

Hydrogeochemical analyses were carried out on groundwater samples collected from 20 producing wells in different parts of the Eastern Niger Delta. Results show that the concentrations of the major cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and anions (Cl^–, SO ₄ ^2– , HCO ₃ ^– ) are below the World Health Organization (WHO) standards set for domestic purposes. The occurrence of slightly saline water in certain areas is attributed to local hydrogeological processes occurring in the area. On the basis of the analytical results, two hydrogeochemical facies are delineated. These are calcium-magnesium-chloride-sulfate-bicarbonate (Ca-Mg-Cl-SO₄-HCO₃) and calcium-sodium-chloride-sulfatebicarbonate (Ca-Na-Cl-SO₄-HCO₃) to the west and east of the study area, respectively.     

Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes: a case study of Peddavanka watershed, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

In India, the quantity and quality of water available for irrigation is variable from place to place. Assessment of water quality has been carried out to determine the sources of dissolved ions in groundwater. Quality of groundwater in a 398 km² Peddavanka watershed of a semi-arid region of south India is evaluated for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The middle Proterozoic Cuddapah Supergroup and Kurnool Group of rocks underlie most of the watershed. The main lithologic units consist chiefly of quartzite, limestone, and shale. Seventy-six water samples were collected from open-wells and bore-holes. Water samples were collected representative of the post-monsoon (winter) and pre-monsoon (summer). The quality assessment is made through the estimation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, total hardness as CaCO₃, TDS, EC, and pH. Based on these analyses, parameters like sodium adsorption ratio, % sodium, residual sodium carbonate, non-carbonate hardness, potential salinity, Kelley’s ratio, magnesium ratio, index of base exchange and permeability index were calculated. According to Gibbs‘ ratio samples in both seasons fall in the rock dominance field. The overall quality of waters in the study area in post-monsoon season is high for all constituents ruling out pollution from extraneous sources.     

Groundwater quality and its change over a decade: An analysis of a coastal urban environment from the west coast of India

Mangalore, one of the fastest growing cities along the west coast of India has witnessed a leap in industrialisation and urbanisation during the last decade. This study focuses on the quality of the groundwater of Mangalore city. The results are compared with an earlier study to record the change in water quality over a decade. HCO₃ and Na were found exceeding the highest desirable limit of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Indian Standards Institute (ISI) standards for drinking water. The pH values at seven localities are not within the limits prescribed by WHO or ISI (highest desirable level or maximum permissible level). The present study shows that there has been an enrichment of chemical constituents during the last decade and that the Gurupur River, which flows parallel to the coast, plays an important role in impeding saltwater intrusion along the coast.     

Geographic Information System and groundwater quality mapping in Panvel Basin,Maharashtra, India

Panvel Basin of Raigarh district, Maharashtra, India is the study area for groundwater quality mapping using the Geographic Information System (GIS). The study area is typically covered by Deccan basaltic rock types of Cretaceous to Eocene age. Though the basin receives heavy rainfall, it frequently faces water scarcity problems as well as water quality problems in some specific areas. Hence, a GIS based groundwater quality mapping has been carried out in the region with the help of data generated from chemical analysis of water samples collected from the basin. Groundwater samples show quality exceedence in terms of chloride, hardness, TDS and salinity. These parameters indicate the level of quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Idrisi 32 GIS software was used for generation of various thematic maps and for spatial analysis and integration to produce the final groundwater quality map. The groundwater quality map shows fragments pictorially representing groundwater zones that are desirable and undesirable for drinking and irrigation purposes.     

Groundwater quality in a coastal area: a case study from Andhra Pradesh, India

Over-exploitation of groundwater results in decline of water levels, leading to intrusion of salt water along the coastal region, which is a natural phenomenon. A groundwater quality survey has been carried out to assess such phenomena along the coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Brackish groundwaters are observed in most of the wells. The rest of the wells show a fresh water environment. The factors responsible for the brackish groundwater quality with respect to the influence of seawater are assessed, using the standard ionic ratios, such as Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺, TA:TH and Cl⁻:HCO⁻ ₃. Results suggest that the brackish nature in most of the groundwaters is not due to the seawater influence, but is caused by the hydrogeochemical process. Some influence of seawater on the groundwater quality is observed along the rock fractures. The combined effect of seawater and urban wastewaters is due to the inferior quality of groundwater in a few wells, where they are at topographic lows close to the coast.     

Quality assessment and hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in Agastheeswaram taluk,Kanyakumari district,Tamil Nadu,India

The present study investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater quality in Agas- theeswaram taluk of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 69 groundwater samples were collected during pre- and post-monsoon periods of 2011-2012. The groundwater quality assessment has been carried out by evaluating the physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, HCO3, Cl, SO42-, Ca2＋, Mg2＋, Na＋ and K＋ for both the seasons. Based on these parameters, groundwater has been assessed in favor of its suitability for drinking and irrigation purpose. Dominant cations for both the seasons are in the order of Na＋〉 Ca2＋〉 Mg2＋ 〉 K＋ while the dominant anions for post monsoon and pre monsoon have the trends of CI 〉 HCO3 〉 SO42- and HCO3- 〉 CI 〉 SO42-, respectively. Analytical results observed from various indices reveal that the groundwater quality is fairly good in some places. Analytical results of few samples show that they are severely polluted and incidentally found to be near the coasts, estuaries and salt pans in the study area. The Gibbs plot indicates that the majority of groundwater samples fall in rock dominant region, which indicates rock water interaction in the study area. The United States salinity （USSL） diagram shows that the groundwater is free from sodium hazards but the salinity hazard varies from low to very high throughout the study area. This reveals that the groundwater is moderately suitable for agricultural activities. The observed chemical variations in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons may be the effect to rock-water interactions, ion-exchange reactions, and runoff of fertilizers from the surrounding agricultural lands.     

The Ghingee Granite, Tamil Nadu, South India: Geochemistry and Petrogenesis

The Palaeo-Proterozoic Ghingee granite is an anatectic granite formed in high grade granulite terrain by ultrametamorphism. The compositional variations both in major and trace elements observed in this granite (SiO₂ : 64.16-73.81; Fe₂O₃ : 0.12-2.19; FeO : 0.12-2.80; MgO : 0.10-2.19; CaO : 1.66-4.71; K₂O : 1.09-5.09; Ba: 223-1883 ppm; Cr : 4-60 ppm) are attributed to a) source rock heterogeneity and b) the tectonic disturbances that might have abruptly ended the anatectic melting process. The granite is compositionally similar to Perur, Closepet and Hyderabad granites and is formed during Archaean-Proterozoic transition by anatectic and crustal remelting processes.     

Groundwater quality in the coastal stretch between Sirkazhi and Manampandal, Tamil Nadu, India using ArcGIS Software

An attempt has been made in this research paper to understand the groundwater quality of coastal stretch from Sirkazhi to Manampandal of Nagapattinum district, Tamil Nadu (India). A total of 47 samples were taken for the baseline study. The water samples collected in the field were analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), major cations like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and anions like bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, in the laboratory using the standard methods given by the American Public Health Association. The groundwater locations were selected to cover the entire study area and attention was given to the area where contamination is expected. The expected groundwater contaminants were chloride, nitrate, TDS, Na, and K. The results were evaluated in accordance with the drinking water quality standards given by the World Health Organization. To know the distribution pattern of the concentration of different elements and to demarcate the higher concentration zones, the contour maps for various elements were also generated, discussed, and presented.     

淮河流域平原区地下水资源合理开发利用模式研究

以中国地质调查局资助的《淮河流域环境地质调查》项目为依托,对收集到的区域基础地质和水文地质资料进行了二次开发利用,对淮河流域平原区地下水资源赋存条件、开发利用历史及现状进行了调查,对淮河流域平原区地下水资源开发利用环境效应及开采潜力进行了分析,从浅层水、深层水、微咸水三个方面说明了淮河流域平原区地下水资源合理开发利用模式.     

Groundwater quality in the Niva River basin, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India

 This study was made to assess the groundwater quality in relation to agricultural and domestic uses in a part of the Peninsular Archean granite and gneissic complex of India. Water samples were collected from the existing wells in the Niva River basin, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India and analysed for major ions. The analytical data, processed and interpreted acoording to the WHO standards, reveal that, in general, the groundwater is suitable for both agricultural and domestic uses, exept in a few locations. High concentration of nitrates were observed in some of the wells (both agricultural and domestic) that are affected by the impact of industrial effluents. Multiple regression analysis was performed and used as a positive predictive tool in understanding the chemistry of the groundwater. Received: 2 May 1996 / Accepted: 14 October 1996     

Characterization and evaluation of the factors affecting the geochemistry of groundwater in Neyveli,Tamil Nadu,India

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the factors influencing ground water composition as well as to specify them quantitatively, multivariate statistical analysis (factor analysis) were performed on the hydrochemical data of this area. R-mode factor analysis was carried out on the geochemical results of the 79-groundwater samples and the factor scores were transferred to areal maps. Fundamental chemical parameters of the groundwater have been compounded together for characterizing and interpreting a few empirical hydrogeochemical factors controlling the chemical nature of water. R-mode factor analysis reveals that the groundwater chemistry of the study area reflects the influence of anthropogenic activities, silicate weathering reactions, precipitation, dissolution and subsequent percolation into the groundwater. The data have been put into few major factors and the seasonal variation in the chemistry of water has been clearly brought out by these factors. Factor scores were transferred to contour diagrams and the factor score analysis has been used successfully to delineate the stations under study with various factors and the seasonal effect on the sample stations.     

Drinking water quality in villages of southwestern Haryana,India: assessing human health risks associated with hydrochemistry

The chemical quality of groundwater of western Haryana, India was assessed for its suitability for drinking purposes. A total of 275 water samples were collected from deep aquifer based hand-pumps situated in 37 different villages/towns of Bhiwani region. The water samples were analyzed for different physico-chemical properties, e.g., pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total harness (TH), total alkalinity (TA), calcium, magnesium, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulphate, chloride and fluoride concentrations. In this study, the average TDS content was greater ranging 1,692 (Bhiwani block) to 2,560 mg l⁻¹ (Siwani block), and other important parameters of water, e.g., TA (442–1,232 mg l⁻¹), TH (437–864 mg l⁻¹) and bicarbonate (554–672 mg l⁻¹), were also higher than maximum permissible limit by WHO or BIS. The fluoride appeared as a major problem of safe drinking water in this region. We recorded greater fluoride concentration, i.e., 86.0 mg l⁻¹ from Motipura village that is highest fluoride level ever recorded for Haryana state. The average fluoride concentration ranged between 7.1 and 0.8 mg l⁻¹ in different blocks of western Haryana. On the basis of fluoride concentration, Siwani block showed the maximum number of water samples (84% of total collected samples) unsuitable for drinking purposes (containing fluoride >1.5 mg l⁻¹) followed by Charki Dadri block (58%), Bhiwani block (52%), Bawani Khera block (33%) and Loharu block (14%). This study clearly suggest that some health deteriorating chemicals in drinking water were at dangerous level and; therefore, water quality could be a major health threat for local residents of western Haryana. The high fluoride level in drinking water has posed some serious dental health risks in local residents.     

Hydrogeochemical parameters for assessment of groundwater quality in the upper Gunjanaeru River basin,Cuddapah District,Andhra Pradesh,South India

In the management of water resources, quality of water is just as important as its quantity. In order to know the quality and/or suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigation in upper Gunjanaeru River basin, 51 water samples in post-monsoon and 46 in pre-monsoon seasons were collected and analyzed for various parameters. Geological units are alluvium, shale and quartzite. Based on the analytical results, chemical indices like percent sodium, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, permeability index (PI) and chloroalkaline indices were calculated. The pre-monsoon waters have low sodium hazard as compared to post-monsoon season. Residual sodium carbonate values revealed that one sample is not suitable in both the seasons for irrigation purposes due the occurrence of alkaline white patches and low permeability of the soil. PI values of both seasons revealed that the ground waters are generally suitable for irrigation. The positive values of Chloroalkaline indices in post-monsoon (80%) and in pre-monsoon (59%) water samples indicate absence of base-exchange reaction (chloroalkaline disequilibrium), and remaining samples of negative values of the ratios indicate base-exchange reaction (chloroalkaline equilibrium). Chadha rectangular diagram for geochemical classification and hydrochemical processes of groundwater for both seasons indicates that most of waters are Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type. Assessment of water samples from various methods indicated that majority of the water samples in both seasons are suitable for different purposes except at Yanadipalle (sample no. 8) that requires precautionary measures. The overall quality of groundwater in post-monsoon season in all chemical constituents is on the higher side due to dissolution of surface pollutants during the infiltration and percolation of rainwater and at few places due to agricultural and domestic activities.     

Hydro-geochemical evaluation of groundwater with studies on water quality index and suitability for drinking in Sagardari,Jashore

Sagardari union is facing groundwater crisis because of contaminations from agriculture and urban sewage, which bring a considerable change in water quality. In view of this, hydro-chemical analyses were undertaken on 35 groundwater samples and the following hydro-geochemical parameters, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), electrical conductivity (EC), cations and anions, were analyzed. From the analytical results, it is found that pH value was lower than WHO drinking water standard and the middle-downstream portions of the investigation region show higher EC. The piper plot indicates that the groundwater in Sagardari falls in the categories of NaClHCO₃ hydro-chemical facies. Higher TH in groundwater was detected, but still in an acceptable range. In addition, salinity and arsenic ratio are higher and moderately higher, respectively. The spatial distribution of Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) was determined by geo-statistical modelling of Sagardari union. The study provides information and supports the administration which to make better groundwater utilization and quality control in the Sagardari union.     

延庆盆地地下水水化学特征统计分析

基于2008年枯水期地下水采样数据共计65个样本点,对水质组分进行了分层统计,并进行了地下水质量评价。此外,开展了TDS、Ca2＋、NO3-和硬度与取样深度的相关性分析。结果表明,垂向上,延庆盆地地下水由浅到深,地下水水质逐渐变好;横向上,上游地下水水质好于中游,中游好于下游;深层地下水已经出现较差和极差点。     

黑河流域地下水与地表水转化研究进展

地处我国干旱内陆区的黑河流域,其地表水与地下水在不同的地貌单元发生着大数量的、有规律的、重复的转化过程,极大地提高了水资源的利用率.早在20世纪80年代,甘肃省地矿局等单位率先开展了有关黑河流域地表水与地下水转化过程研究的国家"七五"、"八五"科技攻关项目,取得了丰富的勘查研究成果,促进了这一地区有限水资源的合理开发利用.进入21世纪以来,随着勘查研究理论的丰富和环境同位素技术的广泛应用,黑河流域地表水与地下水资源及其循环转化引起了学术界的广泛关注,并相继完成并发表了一批具有较高水平和学术价值的科研成果,进一步提高了干旱区水资源的开发与保护.但仍存在着水资源转化关系和转化规律还缺乏流域系统研究、中下游盆地深层地下水的补给来源尚不能确定等方面的不足,不利于协调社会经济发展与生态环境保护之间的用水矛盾.     

Remote sensing and GIS for artificial recharge study, runoff estimation and planning in Ayyar basin, Tamil Nadu, India

This paper focuses on artificial groundwater recharge study in Ayyar basin, Tamil Nadu, India. The basin is covered by hard crystalline rock and overall has poor groundwater conditions. Hence, an artificial recharge study was carried out in this region through a project sponsored by Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology. The Indian Remote Sensing satellite 1A Linear Imaging Self Scanning Sensor II (IRS 1A LISS II) satellite imagery, aerial photographs and geophysical resistivity data were used to prioritize suitable sites for artificial recharge and to estimate the volume of aquifer dimension available to recharge. The runoff water available for artificial recharge in the basin is estimated through Soil Conservation Service curve number method. The land use/land cover, hydrological soil group and storm rainfall data in different watershed areas were used to calculate the runoff in the watersheds. The weighted curve number for each watershed is obtained through spatial intersection of land use/land cover and hydrological soil group through GeoMedia 3.0 Professional GIS software. Artificial recharge planning was derived on the basis of availability of runoff, aquifer dimension, priority areas and water table conditions in different watersheds in the basin.