Evaluating the source and Quality of River and Groundwater using hydrochemistry and stable isotopesin Tawi Watershed, Jammu District, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic composition of river and groundwater in Kandi and Sirowal belts of Jammu District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was carried out to understand the recharge source and chemical nature of these waters for drinking water quality criteria. Physical parameters (temperature, pH, Total dissolved solids, total hardness and electrical conductivity), major cations and anions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-) and stable isotopes (d18O and d2H) inTawi river and groundwater samples from hand pumps and tube wells were measured. The dominant cation is Ca2+ and the dominant anion HCO3- implyingCaHCO3type water in both river and groundwater. To assess the quality of water for drinking purposes, Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) has been calculated. The GWQI indicates that Kandi and Sirowal belts are showing “Excellent” to “Good” category for drinking purposes. The stable isotopic composition of river water and groundwater is indicative of meteoric origin and enrichment before groundwater recharge. The stable isotopes in water suggest that the active canals in Sirowal belt,and rainfall and river water near the banks in Kandi belt contribute to ground water recharge.