Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality along the coastal aquifers of southern Tamil Nadu,India

Hydrogeochemical investigation of groundwater has been carried out in the coastal aquifers of southern Tamil Nadu, India. Seventy-nine dug well samples were collected and analyzed for various physicochemical parameters. The result of the geochemical analysis indicates the groundwater in the study area is slightly alkaline with moderate saline water. The cation and anion concentrations confirm most of the groundwater samples belong to the order of Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > K⁺ and Cl^? > SO₄ ^2? > HCO₃ ^?. Thereby three major hydrochemical facies (Ca–Cl, mixed Ca–Mg–Cl and Na–Cl) were identified. Based on the US Salinity diagram, majority of the samples fall under medium to very high salinity with low to high sodium hazard. The cross plot of Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ versus chloride shows 61 % of the samples fall under saline water category. Higher EC, TDS and Cl concentrations were observed from Tiruchendur to Koodankulam coastal zone. It indicates that these regions are significantly affected by saltwater contamination due to seawater intrusion, saltpan deposits, and beach placer mining activities.     

Evaluation of groundwater potential zones using electrical resistivity and GIS in Noyyal river basin,Tamil Nadu

The purpose of this study was to identify the groundwater potential zones in Noyyal river basin using GIS and electrical resistivity. River Noyyal was perennial with good flow till early seventies. In recent years, the scene has changed drastically and the river has become practically seasonal and receives copious water during northeast monsoon from September to November. The rest of the years it remains more or less dry. Since the surface water resources in the area are inadequate to meet the local needs it is necessary to explore groundwater resources which has not been done properly. Hence various thematic maps have been used for the preparation of groundwater prospective map by integrating geology, geomorphology, slope, drainage and lineament of the study area. Electrical resistivity survey was conducted at 52 locations by using Schlumberger configuration. From this weathered thickness and depth to basement have been taken and overlaid for identifying groundwater potential sites and finally this result was compared with yield data. The interpretation shows that the entire study area has moderate to good category of groundwater potential.     

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.     

Hydrochemical characteristics and groundwater quality assessment in Tirupur Region, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India

Groundwater samples from 62 locations have been collected from Tirupur region viz. Avinashi, Tirupur and Palladam taluks of Coimbatore District. The extensive agricultural industrial activities and urbanization resulted in the contamination of the aquifer. To study the contamination of groundwater, water samples were collected in an area of 180 km² and analysed for major cations and anions. Most of the locations are contaminated by higher concentration of EC, TDS, K and NO₃. Major hydro chemical facies were identified using Piper trilinear diagram. Based on US salinity diagram, most of the samples fall in the field of C3S1, indicating high salinity and low sodium water, which can be used for almost all types of soil with little danger of exchangeable sodium. Majority of the samples are not suitable for domestic purposes and far from drinking water standards. However, PI values indicates that groundwater is suitable for irrigation.     

Statistical interpretation on seasonal variations of groundwater quality in Ramanathapuram coastal tract,Tamil Nadu,India

Groundwater availability depends on its accessibility, as well as on its quality. Factor analysis (FA) has been used to analyze quality problems and provide strategies for water resources exploitation. The present study demonstrated the use of factor analysis to evaluate temporal variations in groundwater quality and find latent sources of water pollution in coastal areas of Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. The data set included data of eleven water quality parameters viz., pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total hardness, chloride and fluoride for two different seasons (pre- and post-monsoon) in 2012. FA of the two seasons resulted in two latent factors accounting for 80.38 % of total variance for pre-monsoon (summer) and 73.03 % for post-monsoon (winter) in the water quality data sets. The results obtained from FA prove that the groundwater quality in winter is better than that of summer. Langelier Saturation Index was used to find out scaling and corrosive tendency of the groundwater samples for the study area. Karl Pearson correlation matrix was used to study the correlation between the studied water quality parameters. Hence, the analysis suggests that FA techniques are useful tools for identification of influence of various quality parameters on overall nature of the groundwater.     

Hydrochemistry of groundwater of Thiruporur block, Tamil Nadu (India)

An attempt has been made in this work to evaluate the environmental chemistry of groundwater in Thiruporur block, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. Eleven villages of Thiruporur block were selected; where the people use groundwater for drinking purpose, and the water samples were subjected to systematic analysis with a view to understand the potability of drinking water sources. The depth of the bore wells varied from 100 to 200?feet. The values obtained for different parameters were compared with the standard values given by ISI/ICMR/WHO and the variations were notable for the parameters like nitrate and total hardness for few samples. Therefore, a medical survey was carried out to study the harmful effects on the society due to these two parameters at the villages??Kayar and Melkottaiyar.     

Impact of urbanization in groundwater of south Chennai City, Tamil Nadu, India

Chennai is one of the four major metropolitan cities in India, and is located in the southeastern part of the country. The average rate of population growth of the city is 25 % per decade and this is recurrently reducing the green-covered area in the city. Exceptionally, during the post-economic liberalization period (i.e., between the years 1997 and 2007), the city lost up to 99 % of its green-covered areas at some parts. Subsequently, the Chennai City started to experience wide range of environmental issues, including groundwater pollution and the effects of groundwater depletion. As a consequence of these factors, a study was undertaken to determine the impact of urbanization on the groundwater quality. In the present study, groundwater samples were collected from 54 stations from the study area during the premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons for the year 2011–2012 and were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters and trace elements. The type of water that predominated in the study area was assessed based on hydrochemical facies. The study of the hydrochemical characteristics of the major ions in these waters shows that in premonsoon, the alkalis and the alkaline earth metals are found to be balanced by chlorides and bicarbonates and sulphates, respectively. Reverse ion exchange study illustrates that Ca, Mg and Na concentrations are interrelated through reverse ion exchange. Box and whisker plots illustrate the seasonal effect on the chemical parameters of the groundwater. Gibbs’ diagram reveals that the chemical composition of the groundwater in the study area is predominated by rock–water interaction. Besides, suitability of groundwater for irrigation was evaluated based on sodium adsorption ratio, Kelley’s ratio, magnesium ratio, Wilcox and USSL diagrams.     

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of groundwater in the lower Offin basin,Ghana

Alumino-silicate mineral dissolution, cation exchange, reductive dissolution of hematite and goethite, oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite are processes that influence groundwater quality in the Offin Basin. The main aim of this study was to characterise groundwater and delineate relevant water–rock interactions that control the evolution of water quality in Offin Basin, a major gold mining area in Ghana. Boreholes, dug wells, springs and mine drainage samples were analysed for major ions, minor and trace elements. Major ion study results show that the groundwater is, principally, Ca–Mg–HCO₃ or Na–Mg–Ca–HCO₃ in character, mildly acidic and low in conductivity. Groundwater acidification is principally due to natural biogeochemical processes. Though acidic, the groundwater has positive acid neutralising potential provided by the dissolution of alumino-silicates and mafic rocks. Trace elements’ loading (except arsenic and iron) of groundwater is generally low. Reductive dissolution of iron minerals in the presence of organic matter is responsible for high-iron concentration in areas underlain by granitoids. Elsewhere pyrite and arsenopyrite oxidation is the plausible process for iron and arsenic mobilisation. Approximately 19 and 46% of the boreholes have arsenic and iron concentrations exceeding the WHO’s (Guidelines for drinking water quality. Final task group meeting. WHO Press, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2004) maximum acceptable limits of 10 μg l⁻¹ and 0.3 mg l⁻¹, for drinking water.     

Characterisation and quality assessment of groundwater with a special emphasis on irrigation utility: Thirumanimuttar sub-basin, Tamil Nadu, India

Thirumanimuttar sub-basin is of particular importance in the study of groundwater quality due to the release of effluents from industries, agricultural, sewage and urban runoff, brining considerable change in water quality. An investigation was carried out by collecting a total of 194 groundwater samples for two seasons to decipher hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality for determining its suitability for agricultural purposes. The water is neutral to alkaline in nature with pH ranging from 6.78 to 9.22 with an average of 7.37. Higher electrical conductivity (EC) was noted in NW and mid-downstream parts of the study area. Higher NO ₃ ^? was observed during post-monsoon (POM) due to the action of leaching and anthropogenic process. The piper plot reveals the dominance of Na⁺?CCl^? and Na⁺?CHCO ₃ ^? , mixed Ca²⁺?CNa⁺?CHCO ₃ ^? , mixed Ca²⁺?CMg²⁺?CHCO ₃ ^? and Ca²⁺?CSO ₄ ^? types of hydrogeochemical facies. Higher total hardness in the groundwater is due to the effect of dyeing and bleaching industries discharging effluents affects the quality of water. Residual Sodium Carbonate value indicates 56% of the samples are not suitable for irrigation purposes in both seasons. Higher sodium percentage is noted during PRM indicating the dominance of ion exchange and weathering. Higher sodium adsorption ratio was observed during POM indicating the effect of leaching and dissolution of salts into the aquifer matrix. USSL plot indicates 15% of samples record high salinity to medium sodicity. The Permeability Index indicates water is moderate to good for irrigation purposes. In general, groundwater in the study area is influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities.     

Assessment of groundwater contamination from a hazardous dump site in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India

Tanneries located in an industrial development area of Ranipet (India) manufactured chromate chemicals during 1976?C1996. A large quantity of associated hazardous solid wastes has been stacked about 5-m high above ground level, spread over 3.5?ha inside one of the factory premises. The study area receives an average annual rainfall of 1,100?mm. The granitic formation in the northern part of Palar River catchment has high infiltration rates and has resulted in fast migration of the contamination to the water table. Chromium levels in the groundwater were found up to 275?mg/l. The available hydrogeological, geophysical and groundwater quality data bases have been used to construct a groundwater flow and mass transport model for assessing the groundwater contamination and it has been calibrated for the next 30?years. The migration has been found to be very slow, with a groundwater velocity of 10?m/year. This is the first field-scale study of its kind in this industrial area. The findings are of relevance to addressing the groundwater pollution due to indiscriminate disposal practices of hazardous waste in areas located on the phreatic aquifer. Further, it has been reported that the untreated effluent discharge adjacent to the chromium dump site is most influential in the migration of contaminants.     

Statistical analysis of the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in hard rock coastal aquifers of Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, India

The study of groundwater hydrogeochemistry of a hard rock aquifer system in Thoothukudi district has resulted in a large geochemical data set. A total of 100 water samples representing various lithologies like Hornblende Biotite Gneiss, Alluvium Marine, alluvium Fluvial, Quartzite, Charnockite, Granite and Sandstone were collected for two different seasons and analyzed for major ions like Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, PO₄ ^?, F^? and H₄SiO₄. Statistical analysis of the data has been attempted to unravel the hidden relationship between ions. Correlation analyses and factor analyses were applied to classify the groundwater samples and to identify the geochemical processes controlling groundwater geochemistry. Factor analysis indicates that sea water intrusion followed by leaching of secondary salts, weathering and anthropogenic impacts are the dominant factors controlling hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in the study area. Factor score overlay indicate major active hydrogeochemical regimes are spread throughout the Eastern, Northwestern and Southeastern parts of the study area. The dominant ions controlling the groundwater chemistry irrespective of season are Cl^?, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, SO₄ ^2?, K⁺ and NO₃ ^?. An attempt has also been made to note the seasonal variation of the factor representations in the study area. This study also illustrates the usefulness of statistical analysis to improve the understanding of groundwater systems and estimates of the extent of salinity/salt water intrusion.     

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.     

Geochemical characteristics and evaluation of minor and trace elements pollution in groundwater of Tuticorin city,Tamil Nadu,India using geospatial techniques

In this work the major and trace elements pollution levels in groundwater of Tuticorin city of Tamil Nadu was investigated. This coastal city with numerous large and small scale industries has increasingly affected the water quality by dumping effluents. The mean major and trace elements levels in groundwater in descending order: Si > Sr > Zn > Fe > Rb > Se > Al > Mn > Cu > As > Cr > Ba > V > Ni > Pb > Mo > Co > Sb > Cd > Ag. The concentrations of As, Se, Pb, Ba, Al, Fe and V (0.084, 0.150, 0.057, 0.837, 0.357 and 0.052) in some of the groundwater samples exceed the standard value of world health organization (WHO, 2004). Interrelationship between the elements was done by correlation matrix and factor analysis which indicates the contribution from industrial and irrigation fields. Spatial interpolation of inverse distance method (IDW) maps of all the elements suggested that discharge of effluents from chemical factory (STERLITE, TAC, SPIC, HEAVY WATER PLANT, NILA SEA FOODS), municipal wastewater, fertilizers were added to the natural sources. Results of this research suggests that proper measures should be taken to protect the vital groundwater resources in the Tuticorin city.     

Phosphate pollution in the groundwater of lower Vamsadhara river basin, India

 The lower Vamsadhara river basin, spreading over an area of 817 sq.km in northern Andhra Pradesh, represents a typical rural setting. The occurrence of phosphorus-bearing minerals reported in literature, and the increasing application of phosphatic fertilizers in the area have prompted these studies. Water samples from 113 wells were analysed for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO₄, HCO₃, F, NO₃ and PO₄. The results indicate the presence of phosphate in the groundwater ranged from 0.72 to 7.07 mg/l, which is beyond the limits recommended for domestic and water treatment purposes. Samples of soils and weathered rocks were analyzed for their water-soluble phosphate and other chemical parameters. The water-soluble phosphate in the widely used fertilizers of the area was determined. The spatial variation of phosphate in the aquifer and the soil leachate characteristics supplemented by the chemical equilibrium calculations clearly indicate the dominance of geological sources over the fertilizer sources in contributing PO₄ to the groundwaters. Received: 4 March 1996 / Accepted: 29 July 1996     

GIS model-based morphometric evaluation of Tamiraparani subbasin, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India

A morphometric evaluation of Tamiraparani subbasin was carried out to determine the drainage characteristics using GIS model technique. Extraction of the subbasin and stream network model has been developed to quantify the drainage parameters in the study area. The input parameters required to run this model are: a pour point, a minimum upstream area in hectares, and a digital elevation model. After execution, the model provides a drainage basin with Strahler’s classified stream network supported by thematic layers like aspect, slope, relief, and drainage density. The developed model reveals that the drainage area of this subbasin is 2,055 km² and shows subdendritic to dendritic drainage pattern. The basin includes seventh order stream and mostly dominated by lower stream order. The slope of the study area varies from 0° in the east to 61° towards west. The presence of Western Ghats is the chief controlling factor for slope variation. Moreover, the slope variation is controlled by the local lithology and erosion cycles. The bifurcation ratio indicates that the geological structures have little influence on the drainage networks and the drainage density reveals that the nature of subsurface strata is permeable.