Abstract
Hydrochemical and isotopic studies in groundwater was attempted in a basin to gain knowledge on geochemical evolution and water quality status. The results of the chemical analysis indicate the sources of ions into the groundwater are from dissolution and leaching from source rocks, cation exchange and anthropogenic activities. The saturation index calculated specify oversaturation of carbonate species and undersaturation of amorphous silica indicating groundwater chemical evolution controlled by water rock interactions. Water type alters from Ca-HCO<SUB>3</SUB> to Na-Cl indicating groundwater chemistry controlled by rock-water interaction and anthropogenic activities. The plots of various ionic ratios point out groundwater chemistry affected by ion exchange process, silicate and carbonate weathering along with anthropogenic activities. The isotopes of δ<SUP>2</SUP>H versus δ<SUP>18</SUP>O signify ionic concentration increases along the groundwater flow direction along lower elevations. The water typeâs classification designate 5 distinct groups ranging from low EC and highly depleted isotopes to very high EC with enriched stable isotopic composition indicating longer residence time of groundwater.
Highlights
Groundwater is a valuable resource in many areas, and it commonly plays a key role in the economic development
The increase in pH is explained by the consumption of dissolved CO2 gas by organisms and aquatic plants (Njitchoua et al, 1997) whereas the decrease of this parameter is primarily due to oxidation of organic matter and due to human induced pollution (Table 1)
The groundwater showed paths of hydrochemical evolution, from Ca– HCO3 type via Ca–Cl type to Na–Cl type; or from Ca– HCO3 type directly to Na–Cl type. This suggests that the groundwater hydrochemistry is controlled by water– rock interaction and anthropogenic pollution
Summary
Groundwater is a valuable resource in many areas, and it commonly plays a key role in the economic development. The surface water sources are generally precarious to get their supply during monsoon seasons and in non monsoonal periods people have to largely depend on groundwater resources for their domestic, agricultural and industrial activities. Aquifers in the study area are intensively exploited prior to the present study, little was known about the major hydrogeochemical process that controls the observed water chemistry. A growing population and increased agricultural and industrial activities in the area have resulted in deterioration of water resources. A detailed investigation was carried out with the objective of identifying hydrochemical processes and their relation to groundwater quality Zongyu Chen et al, 2006; Franco Cucchi et al, 2007; Guangxin Zhang et al, 2007; Aji et al, 2008; Prasanna et al, 2009; Janza, M. A detailed investigation was carried out with the objective of identifying hydrochemical processes and their relation to groundwater quality Zongyu Chen et al, 2006; Franco Cucchi et al, 2007; Guangxin Zhang et al, 2007; Aji et al, 2008; Prasanna et al, 2009; Janza, M. 2010; Kebede et al, 2010; Latifa et al, 2011; Dickson et al, 2011 Ruiqiang et al, 2011
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