Genesis Index Research Articles

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigations of groundwater in the reclaimed desert located between EL Nasr canal and Mariut Tableland, NW Coast, Egypt

A complete understanding of groundwater dynamics and its interaction with surface water under the impact of agricultural activities is vital for local agriculture, ecology, and residents of dry regions, which is not commonly recognized in arid areas. This research outlines the geochemical characteristics, recharge sources, and potential factors impacting groundwater quality in a new land reclamation located in the small basin of Abu Mina, which is part of the Western Nile Delta region.1 Thirty-one groundwater samples and two surface water samples were collected in 2021 to represent the Pleistocene aquifer and were subjected to multivariate statistical, hydrochemical, and stable isotope analyses. Data analysis demonstrates that Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and SO42– > Cl– > HCO3– > NO3– are the predominant cations and anions, respectively. Groundwater salinity ranged from 465.60 to 6455.18 mg/l, with slightly alkaline. Most of the water samples fall into one of three types of facies: Ca–Cl, Na–Cl, and Mixed Ca–Mg–Cl, in decreasing order. The meteoric genesis index (r2) indicates that deep meteoric water percolation dominates the Pleistocene aquifer. The aquiline diagrams, correlation matrix, and different ionic ratios indicate that evaporation, reverse ion exchange reactions, and the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals are the main processes governing groundwater chemistry. Factor analysis (FA) indicated that three factors explain groundwater hydrochemistry, accounting for 71.98% of the total variance. According to the rotating components matrix (F1–F3), the chemistry of the Quaternary aquifer is principally affected by evaporation, ion exchange reactions, and anthropogenic influences. Additionally, salinity increases due to the return flow of irrigation activities and mixing between old and recent water. The stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) indicate that the Quaternary aquifer receives groundwater recharge through the return flow of excess irrigation and canal seepage. Under desert reclamation conditions, groundwater salinization processes should be given special consideration. All groundwater samples are appropriate for agricultural irrigation based on the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Percent Sodium (%Na), and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC).

Poleward migration of tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific in the CMIP6-HighResMIP models constrained by observations

Tropical cyclones (TCs) have experienced poleward migration in recent years, but whether this exists in future projections with high-resolution climate models remains unclear. This study investigates the poleward migration of TCs over the western North Pacific (WNP) using CMIP6-HighResMIP models. We first assess the model performance in TC genesis frequency and latitude, which differ greatly from the observations, especially in winter and spring due to misinterpretation of extratropical storms. In this study, we put forward a revised constrained detection method based on the sea surface temperature (SST) and the atmospheric conditions to resolve this bias. Results indicate that the revised detection method has good performance in capturing the annual cycle of TC genesis frequency and latitude. Future projections constrained by this method show that the latitude of TC genesis and lifetime maximum intensity (LMI) both undergo a poleward shift, with the former being more significant. Spatial changes in the dynamic potential genesis index and large-scale environment could explain this shift. The regional changes of Hadley circulation and the role of global warming and internal variability are also discussed.

Using Convolutional Neural Network to Emulate Seasonal Tropical Cyclone Activity

AbstractIt has been widely recognized that tropical cyclone (TC) genesis requires favorable large‐scale environmental conditions. Based on these linkages, numerous efforts have been made to establish an empirical relationship between seasonal TC activities and large‐scale environmental favorability in a quantitative way, which lead to conceptual functions such as the TC genesis index. However, due to the limited amount of reliable TC observations and complexity of the climate system, a simple analytic function may not be an accurate portrait of the empirical relationship between TCs and their ambiences. In this research, we use convolution neural networks (CNNs) to disentangle this complex relationship. To circumvent the limited amount of seasonal TC observation records, we implement transfer‐learning technique to train ensemble of CNNs first on suites of high‐resolution climate model simulations with realistic seasonal TC activities and large‐scale environmental conditions, and then on a state‐of‐the‐art reanalysis from 1950 to 2019. The trained CNNs can well reproduce the historical TC records and yields significant seasonal prediction skills when the large‐scale environmental inputs are provided by operational climate forecasts. Furthermore, by inputting the ensemble CNNs with 20th century reanalysis products and Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) simulations, we investigated TC variability and its changes in the past and future climates. Specifically, our ensemble CNNs project a decreasing trend of global mean TC activity in the future warming scenario, which is consistent with our future projections using high‐resolution climate model.

The Impact of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation on the Formation of the Arabian Sea Monsoon Onset Vortex

AbstractDuring certain years, a synoptic scale vortex called the monsoon onset vortex (MOV) forms within the northward advancing zone of precipitating convection over the Arabian Sea. The MOV does not form each year and the reason is unclear. Since the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) is known to modulate convection and tropical cyclones in the tropics, we examined its role in the formation of the MOV. While the convective and transition phases of the MJO do not always lead to MOV formation, the suppressed phase of the MJO hinders the formation of the MOV more consistently. This asymmetric relationship between the MJO and MOV can be partially explained by the modulation of the large‐scale environment, measured by a tropical cyclone genesis index. It also suggests that the Arabian Sea is generally near a critical state that is favorable for MOV formation during the monsoon onset period.

Effects of large-scale changes in environmental factors on the genesis of Arctic extreme cyclones

The Arctic cyclone is an active weather system in the Arctic, and the Arctic extreme cyclone (AEC) strongly influences polar weather. Thus, many studies have focused on the activity of AEC and its relationship with large-scale circulation in the Arctic. In this study, Arctic cyclones were detected using the ERA5 Reanalysis data from 1979 to 2020, and the AECs of cold and warm semesters were defined using the 5th percentile of sea level pressure. An Arctic cyclone genesis index, GPIArctic, is established by using the least square fitting of absolute vorticity, omega, wind shear, and long-wave radiation with Eady growth rate. Our findings show that wind shear and long-wave radiation strongly influence AECs. In the cold semester, the high value of GPIArctic mainly occurs in the south of Greenland, while in the warm semester, the high value of GPIArctic also occurs in northeast Eurasia. The results of the multi-model integration of CMIP6 show that more AECs will be formed in the Arctic in the future (2021–2050), and their seasonal contrast will be stronger in northeast Eurasia.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Irrigation Use in Gurugram Block of Gurugram District, Haryana, India

Groundwater is a vital and reliable source of water in all climates worldwide. In this work, a total of 26 groundwater samples were collected from the Gurugram Block of Gurugram District (a cosmopolitan city situtated proximately to capital of India) analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH, hardness, dissolved solids (TDS), Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl- and alkalinity as HCO3 −, CO3 2−. Based on the analytical results, the sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, chloro-alkaline index, base exchange index, meteoric genesis index, permeability index), magnesium hazard and Kelly index were calculated. The most abundant cations were Na+ and Ca2+, which accounted for 43% and 36% of total cations, respectively. Based on median value, the cations are in the following order: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+. There are no dangers in any of the 22 villages (85%). They have fluoride levels which are less than the maximum desirable limit of 1.0 mg/L established by IS: 10500, 2012. There were 15 villages (58%) with nitrate concentrations less than the limit (45 mg/L) and 11 villages (42%) with nitrate concentrations greater than the limit. The conductivity of groundwater samples was dominated by the ions EC-TDS (r = 1.0), EC-Na (r = 0.93) and EC-HCO3 (r = 0.84). The natural origin of the ions was revealed by the Na-Cl correlation coefficient (r = 0.82). TDS and Na correlated positively (r = 0.93). Wilcox classified that 4% of the ground water samples as excellent to good, 19% as good to permissible, more than 19% as doubtful to unsuitable and 58% as unsuitable for irrigation. According to the US salinity diagram,% of the samples fall into the C3–S1 water class, indicating water with a high salinity hazard and a low sodium hazard.

Understanding differences in tropical cyclone activity over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Within the North Indian Ocean basin, tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) is substantially greater than over the Arabian Sea (AS). The authors attempt to quantify the roles of specific environmental factors in order to understand the reasons for this difference between the two basins. Environmental variables are considered in the basin as a whole and in the immediate times and places at which cyclogenesis and storm intensification occur.The results for the two sub-basins are compared to determine which environmental variablessignificantly between the sub-basins. A tropical cyclone genesis index (TCGI) is also examined to determine whether the AS- differedBased on that partial success, climatologies of the individual factors that comprise the index are examined to determine which ones are most important in the difference

Understanding differences in tropical cyclone activity over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Within the North Indian Ocean basin, tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) is substantially greater than over the Arabian Sea (AS). The authors attempt to quantify the roles of specific environmental factors in order to understand the reasons for this difference between the two basins. Environmental variables are considered in the basin as a whole and in the immediate times and places at which cyclognesis and storm intensification occur. The results for the two sub-basins are compared to determine which environmental variables differed significantly between the sub-basins. A tropical cyclone genesis index (TCGI) is also examined to determine whether the AS-BoB difference can be explained in terms of the environment using this index. Though the overall level of activity in both is under-predicted by the index by about a factor of two, the index shows a relative diffrence between the basins that is approximately consistent with that in observations. Based on that partial success, climatologies of the individual factors that comprise the index are examined to determine which ones are most important in the AS-BoB diffrence. Column relative humidity and vertical wind shear emerge as the most likely candidates. A closer examination suggests that column relative humidity is the more important factor and thus that the AS has fewer cyclones than the BoB primarily because it has a drier lower troposphere.

Assessment of irrigational indices in surface water and shallow groundwater in the alluvial plain of Barak Valley, Assam, Northeast India

The main sources of water resources of the Barak Valley of Northeast India for irrigation are the surface water bodies in the form of ponds, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. This paper elucidates insight into the irrigational parameters to classify the types of water, based on these indices. Total hardness shows that 90% of surface water belongs to the soft and 63% of groundwater samples belong to the soft category. C‐S plot shows 33% of surface water belongs to C1‐S1 and 66% of groundwater samples belongs to C1‐S1 and C2‐S1, indicating fresh and suitable for use. The percentage Na+ shows most samples belong to good and permissible categories. Permeability index shows 81% of surface water in Class II and 18% in Class III, indicating good and bad types, respectively. Kelly's index suggests 90% of surface water is suitable and 9% is unsuitable, while 14% of piedmont groundwater is unsuitable. Magnesium hazard reveals 18% of surface water has more than 50 Magnesium absorptio ratio, leading to unsuitable, while 28% of piedmont and 33% of flood plain groundwater samples belong to unsuitable. Residual sodium carbon suggests surface water as suitable, while 48%, 12%, and 6% of groundwater belong to suitable, marginal, and unsuitable categories, respectively. Irrigation Water Quality Index values indicate that surface water is characterized by a highly restricted class, as they are exposed to surficial contamination as compared to groundwater. Base exchange index of ions indicates Na+‐SO4−2 hydro‐facies type suggesting dissolution of salt minerals in weak acidic water. Meteoric genesis index of ions reveals the source of groundwater as deeper meteoric water. Thus, the present study indices that the surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and swamps are more prone to contamination, leading to unsuitability for irrigational use, as compared to shallow groundwater in the study area, and therefore, appropriate measures must be adopted to reduce the quality deterioration for maximum utilization.

Geochemical evolution and tracing of groundwater salinization using different ionic ratios, multivariate statistical and geochemical modeling approaches in a typical semi-arid basin

The vulnerability of semi-arid basin aquifers to long-term salinization due to the dissolution of groundwater chemical constituents is a major global problem. Despite this, resilient techniques of tracing the sources of groundwater salinization in semi-arid basin aquifers are still evolving due to the aquifer complexities. This study proves the effectiveness of the use of different ionic ratios, multivariate statistical, and geochemical modeling approaches to understand groundwater evolution and trace salinization in the semi-arid Pru Basin of Ghana. The basin is homogeneously composed of argillaceous sediments of the Oti/Pendjari Group of the Voltaian Supergroup. A total of 81 samples from hand-dug wells and boreholes within the Pru Formation of the Oti/Pendjari Group in the basin were collected for this study. Quantitative analysis of the data shows that the abundance of major ions follows the order: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and Cl− > HCO3− > SO42−. The groundwater evolved from Na-HCO3, Na-HCO3-Cl, Na-Ca-HCO3 to Na-Mg-HCO3 water types in a decreasing order of abundance. Calculated meteoric genesis index (r2) indicates the dominance of deep meteoric water percolation effects on groundwater chemistry. Groundwater chemistry is principally controlled by water-rock interaction, ion exchange reactions, weathering (carbonate and silicate), salinization, and anthropogenic activities. Different ionic ratio plots and spatial distribution maps reveal the prevalence of salinization in the aquifer system, especially around the southwestern part of the basin. Revelle index assessment of the groundwater salinization level indicates that about 19.8% of the groundwater samples with RI values >0.5 is influenced by salinization. The groundwater salinization results from saline water intrusion from adjacent aquifers, mixing effects, ion exchange reactions, water-rock interaction, and anthropogenic activities. The geochemical modeling involving thermodynamic calculation of mineral saturation indices in PHREEQC indicates that groundwater is largely saturated with respect to majority of the carbonate and silicate mineral phases.

Appraisal of Groundwater Quality with Human Health Risk Assessment in Parts of Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plain, North India.

Groundwater contamination in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain has reportedly been affected by various factors, such as mineral dissolution, overexploitation, precipitation, and ion exchange. This study was designed to interpret the hydrochemical fluctuations in the groundwater sources of a rural area in Raebareli district. Groundwater is slightly alkaline and affected by the issues of fluoride, salinity, hardness, and nitrate. The Pollution Index of Groundwater significantly categorize 57% and 79% of the samples under the "insignificant pollution" category during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The Health risk assessment indicated the high susceptibility of children toward health risks. It also indicated that fluoride had greater impact than nitrate in the study area. The multivariate statistical analysis indicates that anthropogenic activities, such as agricultural practices, including excessive fertilizer application and improper domestic and cattle waste management, are probable causes of groundwater contamination through NO3-, Cl-, Na+, and K+. Furthermore, the base exchange index classified 71.43% samples in pre-monsoon and 78.57% in post-monsoon as Na-HCO3 type. The meteoric genesis index suggested that 78.57% and 85.71% of the samples belong to shallow meteoric water percolation type during pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The Piper plots revealed that HCO3-Ca·Mg and SO4·Cl-Na + K type are the prominent facies in the area, with dominance of alkalis and weak acids. According to Gibbs plot, majority of the samples fall under "rock dominance" suggesting that "rock-water" interaction was the dominant natural process controlling the groundwater chemistry.

Influence of methane diffusion on geochemical characteristics of natural gas: a case study of the Shiqiantan area in Junggar Basin, China

ABSTRACT The geochemical study of natural gas has made a great contribution to oil and gas exploration. However, the diffusion of natural gas components will affect the determination accuracy of natural gas origin. This study supplemented the organic carbon content, rock pyrolysis, gas component composition, and component carbon isotope analysis and testing of the source rocks and natural gas samples. The results indicated that the methane and ethane carbon isotope values of the natural gas in the Shiqiantan area are heavy. It should be originated from Carboniferous source rocks. When the maturity and genesis index of natural gas are highly matched with source rocks, the abnormal drying coefficient of natural gas may be related to the methane diffusion.

Regional MJO Modulation of Northwest Pacific Tropical Cyclones Driven by Multiple Transient Controls

AbstractThe Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is widely acknowledged for its ability to modulate Northwest Pacific tropical cyclones (TCs), but a complete understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains uncertain. Beyond established effects of the MJO's relative humidity envelope, other dynamical factors have recently been invoked via new genesis potential indices and high‐resolution modeling studies. Here we revisit the ability of the MJO to modulate West Pacific TCs through a quasi‐explicit cyclone downscaling strategy driven by composited observations, paired later with a genesis index to investigate regional drivers of modulation. We reveal two distinct spatial modes of TC modulation in which the MJO's dynamic and thermodynamic effects act in tandem to increase TCs. In the South China Sea, for instance, shear reductions associated with the MJO's circulation lead to increasing potential intensity ahead of the arrival of a positive humidity anomaly, all of which combine for an extended period of cyclogenesis favorability.

Investigating the abrupt change of tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the Western North Pacific by using different TC genesis indices

AbstractThe tropical cyclone (TC) genesis indices are used to investigate the abrupt change of TC genesis frequency (TCGF) in the Western North Pacific (WNP) from 1979 to 2014 and to discuss the factors leading to the abrupt change. This study shows that TCGF had an abrupt decrease in 1997, but the popular TC genesis indices used in recent studies do not reflect this feature. An appropriate TC genesis index must consider both thermal and dynamic effects to reflect the TCGF abrupt change in the WNP. We modify the dynamic and thermal effects of the existing indices and propose a new TC genesis index, MoχGPI, which is consistent with the observational abrupt change of TC activity regardless of spatial distribution or time‐series patterns. A budget analysis of MoχGPI is conducted to discuss the individual contribution of large‐scale environmental parameters to the TCGF abrupt change. The results show that the change in relative vorticity (including contributions not only from the environmental relative vorticity, but also a part from the relative vorticity by TCs themself) is the dominant effect leading to the TCGF abrupt change in 1997, followed by the vertical wind shear effect.

Hydrochemical processes and groundwater quality assessment in North eastern region of Jordan valley, Jordan

Hydrochemical studies carried out on the groundwater in north eastern part of Jordan valley, Jordan, revealed the confinement of groundwater to two partly overlapping Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary-Quaternary aquifers. Values of Base Exchange Index (r1) and Meteoric Genesis Index (r2) indicate that the groundwater is essentially Na-SO4 type and belongs mainly to the category of Deep Meteoric Percolation type. Major processes responsible for the hydrochemistry of groundwater are: weathering of carbonate and silicate minerals aided by H2CO3 and H2SO4, oxidation of sulphide minerals, domestic waste water, irrigation return flow, reverse and direct ion exchange reactions as well as connate saline water. Values of Water Quality Index indicate the occurrence of excellent and good quality potable water at majority of bore well locations. The groundwater belongs essentially to (C3S1) and (C4S2) irrigation water classes of Richards (1954) and is suitable for cultivation of semi-salt tolerant and salt tolerant crops.

Medical Geological assessment of fluoride contaminated groundwater in parts of Indo-Gangetic Alluvial plains

As drinking water is considered as a major pathway of exposure to fluoride in the human body, an endeavor has been made for the assessment of the non-carcinogenic health risk by using hazard quotient (HQ) of fluoride for males, females, and children separately in fluoride affected ground water areas of Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plains. The study suggests that children groups are more prone to the non-carcinogenic risk of fluoride in the area as HQ for fluoride is more than unitary in 44% (Pre-monsoon) and 38% (Post-monsoon) samples respectively. Field survey conducted in fluoride-affected villagers of the study area portrays cases of mottling of teeth and bone deformities depending on the duration and dosage of fluoride consumption. Petrographic observations of host rocks coupled with molar ratios of chemical species studies exemplify that weathered material developed over the granite-gneiss, mica-schist, amphibolite, granitic intrusive and pegmatite veins due to weathering and extensive water-rock interaction resulting higher concentration of fluoride in groundwater. Likewise, the base exchange index (r1) and meteoric genesis index (r2) advocates that most of the samples belong to Na+-HCO3− type and meteoric origin respectively, and substantiate longer residence time of water along with solute acquisition processes are responsible for elevated fluoride in groundwater. It is, therefore, solar energy-driven electrolytic de-fluoridation technology ought to be provided on a priority basis to the affected inhabitants besides the implementation of rainwater harvesting schemes for mitigation/ dilution of elevated fluoride concentration.

Groundwater property and composition variability under long-term irrigated area of Wonji Plain, Ethiopia

Abstract Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate (WSSE), located in the flood plain of the Awash River (Ethiopia), has been under long-term (>60 years) irrigation, industrial activities and agro-chemical usage. In this study, the hydrochemical properties of groundwater bodies available at WSSE have been characterized for quality compositions. Water samples were collected from groundwater monitoring piezometers distributed in the sugarcane plantation and then analysed for physico-chemical quality parameters (pH, EC, major cations and anions) following standard procedures. Other chemical indices (e.g., total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), magnesium absorption ratio (MAR), base exchange (r1), meteoric genesis (r2)) were derived from the measured water quality parameters. The compositional variability and groundwater classification has been presented using the Box and Piper plots. The potential sources of minerals were suggested for each of the considered water sources based on their quality characteristics. Both trilinear Piper plot and meteoric genesis index revealed that groundwater of the area is shallow meteoric water percolation type with a changing of hydrochemical facies and mixing trend. Groundwater of the area, is group 1 (Ca-Mg-HCO3) type, with no dominant cations and HCO3 are the dominant anions. Overall, the study result elucidates that the chemical composition of GW of the area showed spatial variability depending upon the variations in hydrochemical inputs from natural processes and/or anthropogenic activities within the region. The local anthropogenic processes could be discharges from sugar factory, domestic sewage and agricultural activities.

Little evidence of reduced global tropical cyclone activity following recent volcanic eruptions

The impact of volcanic aerosols on recent global tropical cyclone (TC) activity is examined in observations, reanalysis, and models (the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 - CMIP5 multi-model, and one single model large ensemble). In observations, we find a reduction of TC activity only in the North Atlantic following the last three strong volcanic eruptions; that signal, however, cannot be clearly attributed to volcanoes, as all three eruptions were simultaneous with El Niño events. In reanalyses, we find no robust impact of volcanic eruptions on potential intensity (PI) and genesis indices. In models, we find a reduction in PI after volcanic eruptions in the historical simulations, but this effect is significantly reduced when differences between the model environment and observations are accounted for. Morever, the CMIP5 multi-model historical ensemble shows no effect of volcanic eruptions on a TC genesis index. Finally, there is no robust and consistent reduction in recent TC activity following recent volcanic eruptions in a large set of synthetic TCs downscaled from these simulations. Taken together, these results show that in recent eruptions volcanic aerosols did not reduce global TC activity.

Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation use: a peninsular case study

The grade of irrigation water available to irrigators has a significant impact on crops as well as yields. Therefore, it is a need to better understand irrigation water quality. The present study mainly focuses on the assessment of the suitability of water of forty-four fixed bore wells of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. The groundwater sample datasets of post-monsoon (2005–2013) and pre-monsoon (2006–2013) season were collected for 9 years. Water quality indices, namely sodium adsorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percent (SSP or %Na), residual sodium carbonate (RSC or RA), Kelly’s ratio, permeability index, chloroalkaline indices (CAI1 and CAI2), potential salinity (PS), magnesium hazard, total dissolved solids and total hardness, have been calculated for separate bore wells. The r1 and r2 indices show that groundwater of the study area is Na+–SO42− and deep meteoric percolation type. Majority of the wells are fall under moderate to unsuitable category of water for irrigation purposes. Further, wells water has also been classified on the base of meteoric genesis index.

Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and surface water for domestic and irrigation purposes in Vea catchment, Northern Ghana

The Vea catchment, mainly underlain by crystalline basement rocks, is located in Northern Ghana. Hydrogeochemical studies were carried out in this area with the objective of identifying the geochemical processes influencing water quality and suitability of surface and groundwater for agricultural and domestic uses. Sixty-one groundwater and four surface water samples were collected from boreholes, dams and rivers and analysed for Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3 −, Cl−, and SO4 2−, Fetot, PO4 3−, Mntot, NH4 +, NO3 −, NO2 −. In addition, pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness, turbidity, colour, salinity and dissolved oxygen were analysed. Chloro-alkaline indices 1 and 2, and characterization of weathering processes suggest that the chemistry of groundwater is dominated by the interaction between water and rocks. Cation exchange and silicate weathering are the dominant processes controlling the chemical composition of the groundwater in the area studied. Mineral saturation indices indicate the presence of at least three groups of groundwater in the Vea catchment with respect to residence time. The meteoric genesis index suggests that 86% of the water samples belong to the shallow meteoric water percolation type. The findings further suggest that the groundwater and surface water in the basin studied are mainly Ca–Mg–HCO3 water type, regardless of the geology. Compared to the water quality guidelines of WHO, the study results on sodium absorption ratio, sodium percentage, magnesium hazard, permeability index and residual sodium carbonate indicate that groundwater and surface water in the Vea catchment are generally suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes.