An Appraisal of Groundwater resources and its Hydrochemistry in Ladnun Block of Nagaur District, Central part of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Abstract: Groundwater is an important source that provides support to all habitants in the arid to semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. The current study contributes to the rising demand for potable water in Ladnun block in the northern part of Nagaur district; situated in the central part of Rajasthan. This paper concentrates on the Evaluation of the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical aspects of groundwater in the Ladnun block which encompasses three notable aquifers: Older Alluvium, Bilara Limestone, and Jodhpur sandstone. An attempt was made to understand the groundwater quality as well as its suitability for drinking and other uses by using the water quality parameters. A comprehensive assessment of water quality parameters in groundwater samples were carried out; collected from 34 different locations in the study area in the year 2018 to 2022. Most of the villages of the study area are affected by more than 1.5mg/L fluoride, TDS, and salinity hazards which are harmful to human health. Groundwater quality is slightly hard and brackish to saline in the block due to ancient seawater entrapped in sediments, Halite, and higher-order evaporite mineral deposits. According to WQI most of the water sample falls into the unsuitable category. Therefore, the study area recommended artificial recharge of groundwater and rainwater harvesting to overcome the water demand for drinking purposes