Tracing ionic sources and geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Intermountain Una basin in outer NW Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present research aims to identify sources of ions and factors controlling the geochemical evolution of groundwater in an intermountain basin, comprising hill and valley fill region, of Outer Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh, India. The groundwater samples collected from 81 tubewells and handpumps are analyzed for major ions, trace metals and stable isotopes (δ18O and δD). Geochemically the dominant hydrochemical facies in the Una basin are Ca–HCO3, Ca–Mg–HCO3 and Na–Cl types at few locations. A relatively lower ionic concentration in the valley fills indicates dilution and low residence time of water to interact with the aquifer mass due to high porosity and permeability. The ionic ratios of 0.9, 0.8 and 3.8 to 5.7, respectively, for (Ca + Mg): HCO3, (Ca + Mg): (HCO3 + SO4) and Na: Cl, suggests that ionic composition of groundwater is mainly controlled by rock weathering of, particularly by dissolution/precipitation of calcrete and calcite hosted in rock veins and Ca–Na feldspar hosted in conglomerate deposits derived from the Higher and Lesser Himalaya during the formation of Siwalik rocks. Although Na, K, NO3 and SO4 are introduced in the groundwater through agricultural practices, Na has also been introduced through ion exchange processes that have occurred during water–rock interaction, as indicated by negative CAI values. Factor analysis further suggests three major factors affecting the water chemistry of the area. The first two factors are associated with rock weathering while the third is anthropogenic processes associated with high nitrate and iron concentration. High concentrations of Fe and Mn ions that are exceeded that of WHO and BIS standards are also present at few locations. The recharge of groundwater in the Outer Himalaya is entirely through Indian Southwest Monsoon (ISM) and depleted ratios of δ18O/δD in valley region indicate infiltration from irrigation in recharging the groundwater and fractionation of isotopes of precipitation due to evaporation before infiltration. High d-excess values and inverse relation with δ18O are indicative of secondary evaporation of precipitation during recharge of groundwater.