Groundwater Quality and Suitability of PG2 Watershed, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra: An Appraisal of Hydrogeochemical Behavior

Abstract

Groundwater samples were studied to understand the concentrations of cations and anions, rock-water interaction as well as groundwater suitability from PG2 watershed of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The samples were collected from the phreatic aquifers where in, Ca2+ ˃ Mg2+ ˃ Na+ ˃ K+ is the dominance sequence with Ca2+ as dominant cation. The geogenic processes like dissolution of calcium rich minerals are responsible for increase of Ca2+ content in groundwater. HCO - and SO 2- are the prevailing dominant anions, with the dominance sequence as HCO - ˃ SO 2- ˃ NO - ˃ Cl-. The mixed sectional types suggest the geogenic as well as anthropogenic sources of cations and anions; and the combinational water type. The interrelationship of HCO - and Ca2+ divulges negative correlation also, the scatter diagram of Na+ vs Cl- interpret the rock-water interaction, which points out towards the silicate weathering as well as sources of calcium and bicarbonate. The groundwater is marginally suitable for drinking purpose. However, it is not appropriate for the intolerant crops which are vulnerable to anions of Cl- and SO 2-. Keywords: Rock-water Interaction, Phreatic Aquifers, Groundwater Quality, Silicate Weathering, PG2 Watershed, Chandrapur District