Abstract
Groundwater samples from alluvial aquifers of Bathinda district, southwest Punjab were measured for physicochemical parameters as well as major ion chemistry to evaluate the groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes and to present the current hydrochemical status of groundwater of this district. Temporal variations were analyzed by comparing the pre- and post-monsoon groundwater chemistry. Most of the samples showed contamination: F− (72 %), Mg2+ (22 %), SO42− (28 %), TH (25 %), NO3− (22 %), HCO3− (22 %) and TDS (11 %) during pre-monsoon and F− (50 %), Mg2+ (39 %), SO42− (22 %), TH (28 %), NO3− (22 %) and TDS (28 %) during post-monsoon above permissible limits for drinking, while rest of the parameters fall within the limits. Irrigation suitability was checked using sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), percent sodium (Na%) and permeability index (PI). Most of the samples fall under good to suitable category during pre-monsoon period, but fall under doubtful to unsuitable category during post-monsoon period. Presence of high salt content in groundwater during post-monsoon season reflects leaching of salts present in the unsaturated zone by infiltrating precipitation. Hydrochemical data was interpreted using Piper’s trilinear plot and Chadha’s plot to understand the various geochemical processes affecting the groundwater quality. The results indicate that the order of cation dominance is Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+, while anion dominance is in the order Cl− > HCO3− > SO42−. The geochemistry of groundwater of this district is mainly controlled by the carbonate and silicate mineral dissolution and ion exchange during pre-monsoon and leaching from the salts deposited in vadose zone during post-monsoon. The main sources of contamination are soluble fertilizers and livestock wastes. This study is significant as the surface water resources are limited and the quality and quantity of groundwater are deteriorating with time due to anthropogenic inputs.
Highlights
The sustainable socioeconomic development of every community depends on the availability of freshwater resources
The results indicate that the order of cation dominance is Na? [ Mg2? [ Ca2?, while anion & Tirumalesh Keesari tirumal@barc.gov.in
The temporal variation of the data is shown in box–whisker plots (Figs. 3a–i, 4a–i)
Summary
The sustainable socioeconomic development of every community depends on the availability of freshwater resources. The groundwater samples of this district showed EC in the range of 174–4014 lS/cm with an average value of 1336 lS/cm during pre-monsoon and 269–3806 lS/cm with an average value of 1956 lS/cm during post-monsoon (Table 1). Major ions concentrations along with TH, TDS and EC values are found to be higher in the post-monsoon season compared to pre-monsoon
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