Abstract
Groundwater is the most important water resource, on which depends human geo-economic development and survival. Recent environmental changes and anthropogenic activities render groundwater severely vulnerable. Groundwater in Central Sindh, Pakistan, is facing a similar situation. Hydrogeochemical characteristics of the groundwater in the said region were investigated by analyzing 59 groundwater samples via agricultural and drinking indices, using various statistical methods and graphical approaches to identify factors affecting groundwater. Major reactions occurring in the groundwater system were quantified by hydrogeochemical modeling. A statistical summary reveals the abundance of cations is Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+, while the abundance of anions is HCO3− > Cl− > SO42. Groundwater chemistry is mainly of rock dominance. Correlation analysis and graphical relationships between ions reveal that ion exchange and rock weathering such as the dissolution of halite, albite, and dissolution of carbonate minerals are important rock–water interactions, governing the evolution of groundwater chemistry. Hydrochemical facies are predominantly of mixed CaMgCl and Na-Cl type, with few samples of Ca-HCO3 type, which constitutes fresh recharged water. Based on the Water Quality Index (WQI), 28.82% samples were found to be unsuitable for drinking. A United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagram, Wilcox diagram, and other agricultural indices indicate that majority of the groundwater samples fall within the acceptable range for irrigation purposes.
Highlights
IntroductionThe importance of freshwater resources and its provision for every form of life is inevitable [1]
The importance of freshwater resources and its provision for every form of life is inevitable [1].Being the elixir of life, water resources ensure the stability of the ecosystem and the status of human health [2]
The composite influence of groundwater chemical parameters on overall groundwater quality is provided by the Water Quality Index (WQI), which is calculated by considering the standards recommended for drinking purposes by the World Health Organization (WHO) [55]
Summary
The importance of freshwater resources and its provision for every form of life is inevitable [1]. Out of the total volume of water on Earth (i.e., 1600 × 106 km3 ), approximately 3.0 × 106 km of groundwater and 0.1 × 106 km of surface water is available as freshwater resources, which is. Millions of people lose their lives being deprived of potable water [16] and using contaminated water [17] Both anthropogenic and natural sources are posing significant threats to the quality of groundwater [18]. The demand of groundwater for domestic purposes would increase from 5.20 million acre feet to 9.70 million acre feet [30] This drop is primarily credited to rapid population growth [31]. The situation in the central Sindh, Rohri canal command area is vulnerable to surface and groundwater contamination which would risk the potability and agricultural utilization of groundwater. Advocatinglands the groundwater quality at canal command level in Sindh province
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