Seasonal assessment of water quality for irrigation using multiple indices in Thamirabarani river, Kanyakumari district, India

Abstract

The Hydrochemical analysis and evaluation of the irrigation water quality of the Thamirabarani river system has great significance for maintaining the livelihoods of people and ecological stability in the area. Thamirabarani river is a significant river in kanyakumari district and the people of this district use the water largely without enough and unbelievable information about the water qualities and levels of contamination. The study is the prime source of water for irrigation and domestic uses in the above district. The water samples were collected from ten locations, Pechiparai dam to Thengapattanam estuary in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons respectively. The hydrochemistry in the river water was established by twelve parameters such as (pH, EC, TDS, NO3-, SO42-, Cl-,CO32-, HCO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) and also characterized by Box plot. Furthermore the potential effects of irrigation water qualities were evolved on sodicity hazard, magnesium hazard, sodium permeability hazard, and permeability hazards were assessed by using derived parameters including sodium adsorption ratio, Soluble Sodium Percentage, Permeability index and Kelly’s ratio. The correlation study reveals that there is a strong positive correlation among the indices. The Wilcox diagram describes that the upstream stations in the river water is used for irrigation the downstream stations especially station 9 and station 10 were unsuitable for irrigation because of sea water intrusion discharge of domestic wastes and agricultural activity contaminates the quality of the river water. Therefore the study need special attention to maintain the quality of the river.