Groundwater Irrigation Research Articles

Greenhouse gas emissions from dry season rice irrigation in Bangladesh

Pumping groundwater for irrigation in Bangladesh is a major energy-consuming process and mostly depends on diesel fuel, which is related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But that issue has not yet been addressed in Bangladesh. `In this study, we have estimated GHG emissions for dry season (DS) irrigated rice considering all irrigation devices with their lifting heads, area coverage, and water sources (surface and groundwater) and power sources (diesel and electricity) during 2019–2020. GHG emissions varied with locations, sources of irrigation, fuel and water sources used. Irrigation water driven GHG emission in Bangladesh is about 2.27 million tons (Mt) CO2e DS−1, which is about only 4% of agricultural sector GHG emission. Groundwater pumps contributed the lion shares (2.04 Mt CO2e DS−1), and surface water pumps contributed only 0.23 Mt CO2e DS−1. Based on the GHG emissions, Rajshahi Division is the main hotspot followed by Rangpur and Mymensingh Divisions, because of intensive groundwater used in these areas. Current deep tubewells (DTWs), shallow tubewells (STWs) and low lift pumps (LLPs) area coverage is about 19.2%, 56.8% and 24.0% of the total cultivable areas of the country; but it contributes about 49.1%, 40.6% and 10.3% of emitted GHG, respectively. The results revealed that withdrawal of groundwater is an important source of GHG emission. Therefore, expansion of surface water irrigation facilities with the adoption of different improved distribution systems, water and energy saving technologies like alternate wetting and drying practices, conservation agriculture along with water use-efficient varieties for rice cultivation can be promoted for reducing GHG emission.

Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems: Sustainability, Advancements and Future Prospects

Green Revolution in India fulfilled food demands through high-yielding crops. However, extensive groundwater irrigation using diesel/electric pumps resulted in environmental issues like air pollution and carbon emissions, among others. In order to address such issues through sustainable solutions, the country is currently turning to solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS), which is an eco-friendly alternative. With 60% of irrigation relying on groundwater and 26 million pumps are powered with coal-fired electricity or diesel, the SPIS offers the potential to reduce fossil fuel reliance and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar drip irrigation, in particular, can conserve 50%-60% water compared to conventional irrigation systems. This study comprehensively reviews technological advancements in irrigation, focusing on photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. Further, it highlights the advantages and limitations of these technologies, particularly in managing water and energy, extending its scope beyond small-farm areas. The study further explores the techno-economic feasibility of SPIS, considering efficiency, water conservation, costeffectiveness, and sustainability. By synthesizing relevant literature, this review paper provides insights into implementing SPIS in agriculture, emphasizing on both technical and economic viability. This review aims to guide sustainable and efficient irrigation practices across diverse farming contexts.

Groundwater availability for irrigation purposes: Case of Middle Cheliff aquifer Algeria

The Middle Cheliff Plain faces persistent difficulties in manag-ing its limited groundwater reserves. This region, covering 321 km² in a semi-arid climate, is subjected to a detailed study of groundwater quality for irrigation purposes. In this context, twelve samples were carefully collected and analyzed. Nine es-sential parameters were evaluated, including physicochemical parameters and irrigation indices It is noted that the waters have an average conductivity of 4231 μs.cm-1 and a significant chloride content of 23.33 meq/l which has an unacceptable cat-egory for irrigation also the majority of the indices present fair-ly acceptable and permissible values for irrigation SAR and RSC (100%) of the samples respectively, also the PI 75% of the pie-zometers are suitable for irrigation These criteria were used to assess the suitability of groundwater for irrigation. In most of the plain, the Groundwater Quality Index for Irrigation (GWQII) indicates both acceptable and poor quality. These results show that most of these chemical constituents are above the FAO standards. Therefore, irrigation water poses a danger to the region's vast fields and its fragile crops. The proposed ap-proach has demonstrated efficacy in the assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation purposes, exhibiting versa-tility in application and adaptability across diverse geograph-ical regions, including humid, arid, and semi-arid settings worldwide.

Adapting crop production to water scarcity

Abstract Rapidly growing global food demand requires increased crop production that is supported by groundwater irrigation in many agricultural regions. This pressure on water sources has led to groundwater depletion already and is likely to increase moving forward as producers seek adaptation mechanisms to mitigate climate change impacts. Here we utilize high-resolution data on crop production and groundwater levels to estimate the nonlinear impacts of groundwater levels for corn and wheat production across the High Plains Aquifer in the central United States. Our models extend previous approaches by directly accounting for producer adaptation and feedback effects in the coupled natural and human system. This analysis reveals that continuing the current path of depletion will decrease corn and wheat production in the region by 6.75% and 1.08% in 2050, with the impacts primarily arriving via reductions in irrigated acreage. We provide evidence of substantial spatial heterogeneity of these impacts, which is notable for a region that employs largely homogeneous technology and management practices throughout. The largest production losses are associated with the Central and Southern portion and are as large as 40% for corn production in the Texas portion of the aquifer. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of developing solutions that can conserve the aquifer while avoiding significant losses in current production.

Assessing the Effects of Wheat Planting on Groundwater Under Climate Change: A Quantitative Adaptive Sliding Window Detection Strategy

Climate change has led to changes in precipitation patterns, exacerbating the overextraction of groundwater for wheat irrigation. Although many studies have examined the effects of wheat cultivation on groundwater storage (GWS), few studies have directly assessed the effects of wheat planting on GWS. We proposed a wheat subsiding effect detection (WSED) strategy using time-series remote sensing image to assess the effect of wheat area on GWS across China. The subsiding magnitude of the WSED is calculated as the GWS difference between the wheat area and adjacent nonwheat area in the self-adaptive moving window (the size and position of the sliding window can be automatically adjusted based on the characteristics of the data at the central pixel location). The effects of the wheat area on groundwater storage differ greatly among the change types of wheat area and planting regionalization, characterized by the strong subsiding effect in the wheat stable area, gain area, and Huanghuaihai zone (HWW, the most important wheat-producing region in China mainly includes the provinces and municipalities of Beijing, Tianjin, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu). Nearly 80% of the wheat area in the stable and gain regions had lower groundwater depth than nonwheat areas with significant differences (p < 0.05), resulting in a clear declining groundwater trend of approximately −1 cm/year. This study provides quantitative evidence for the effects of wheat planting on GWS regarding agricultural production and climate change adaptations.

Assessing the Functionality of Groundwater Markets in Green Revolution States of India: A Case Study of Punjab and Haryana

The rapid development of groundwater irrigation in the changing dynamics of the Indian agricultural economy has increased the emphasis on the growing and complex role of the informal institution of groundwater markets. This study examines the form, functioning and impact of groundwater markets in the different regions of India’s Green Revolution states of Punjab and Haryana. The cross-sectional analysis of 400 farmers highlights that around 26% and 33% of farmers in Punjab and Haryana participate in groundwater market-based activities, respectively. A significant disparity in net earnings was observed among rice growers, with farmers dependent on purchased groundwater earning the least in both Punjab and Haryana. In contrast, earnings from wheat showed no notable variation among groundwater users across the two states. The key factors influencing the decision to purchase groundwater were the size of agricultural landholdings and the extent of land fragmentation in both states. On the other hand, rising tubewell maintenance costs encouraged the sale of groundwater.

Qualitative assessment of groundwater for irrigation using GIS and USSL’s diagram

The study presents results obtained for the assessment of groundwater quality of the hypergenic zone of Bulgaria as well as its suitability for irrigation. The analysis is based on data for electrical conductivity (EC) and ions Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, thus calculating the alkalinity ratio (SAR). The data have been provided by the ExEA of Bulgaria for 2015–2019. GIS has been applied to build 2D-models representing EC and SAR in groundwater. For the study area, the groundwater is characterized by EC of 134–2,448 µS/cm. For the SAR, values ranging of 0.1–6.7 have been obtained or assign the groundwater to Class S1. From the SAR–EC relationship, groundwater can be classified in the classes: C1-S1 (2.7%); C2-S1 (55.4%); C3-S1 (41.7%); C3-S2 and C4-S2. The best quality for irrigation is groundwater from the western and middle Rhodopes (SW Bulgaria), in class C1-S1. Waters in the C4-S2 class are 0.1%. They are distributed in the immediate vicinity of the Black Sea coast.

Factors and Mechanisms Affecting Arsenic Migration in Cultivated Soils Irrigated with Contained Arsenic Brackish Groundwater.

Contained arsenic (As) and unsafe brackish groundwater irrigation can lead to serious As pollution and increase the ecological risk in cultivated soils. However, little is known about how Fe oxides and microbes affect As migration during soil irrigation processes involving arsenic-contaminated brackish groundwater. In this study, the samples (porewater and soil) were collected through the dynamic soil column experiments to explore the As migration process and its effect factors during soil irrigation. The results showed that the As concentration in porewater samples from the topsoil was enriched compared to that in the subsoil, and the main solid As fractions were strongly adsorbed or bound to amorphous and crystalline Fe oxides. The aqueous As concentration and the solid As fractions indicated that reductive dissolution and desorption from amorphous Fe oxides were the primary mechanisms of As release at the topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Meanwhile, Sphingomonas_sp., Microvirga_ossetica and Acidobacteriota_bacterium were the dominant microbes affecting As biotransformation by arsenate reductase gene (arsC) expression. Accompanied by the Eh and competitive ions concentration change, amorphous Fe oxide dissolution increased to facilitate the As release, and the changes in the microbial community structure related to As reduction may have enhanced As mobilization in soils irrigated by As-containing brackish groundwater.

Divergence of nutrients, salt accumulation, bacterial community structure and diversity in soil after 8 years of flood irrigation with surface water and groundwater

Irrigation with saline groundwater has become necessary to overcome freshwater scarcity in the agricultural industry in arid areas. However, the effects of long-term saline groundwater irrigation on soil salinity and bacterial diversity have rarely been examined. In this study, a Lycium ruthenicum field was divided into two parts and subjected to flooding irrigation with saline groundwater (pH 7.81, total salinity 0.95 g L−1) and surface water (pH 7.76, total salinity 0.36 g L−1) for 8 years. After 8 years of irrigation, the soil salinity and salt ion content (i.e., Na+, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, Cl− and CO32−) in the groundwater irrigation group were significantly greater than those in the surface water irrigation group (p < 0.001), with notable accumulation in the topsoil (0–5 cm) (p < 0.01). The bacterial community structure differed between the surface water and groundwater irrigation groups. Salt-tolerant bacterial groups (e.g., Balneolaceae and Halomonadaceae) and species (e.g., the marine bacterium JK1007, the bacterium YC-LK-LKJ35, and Methylohalomonas lacus) dominated in the groundwater irrigation environment. Additionally, bacterial communities were associated primarily with soil salt ions (RV = 0.66, p < 0.001). The characteristic bacterial taxa in long-term groundwater irrigation soils were salt-tolerant species (e.g., the marine bacterium JK1007, the bacterium YC-LK-LKJ35, and Methylohalomonas lacus). These findings suggest that salinity is the key factor driving differences in bacterial community structure between long-term groundwater and surface water irrigation. The long-term use of surface water and groundwater for irrigation has different impacts on soil environments, with groundwater irrigation having a more pronounced negative effect. Highlights. The long-term effects of this practice on soil salt accumulation and bacterial diversity were examined. This study provides potential applications for sustainable land management in similar ecological contexts. Groundwater irrigation is characterized by saline-tolerant keystone species. Salinity filtering was used to determine the pattern of bacterial community construction.

Seasonal changes in subsurface characteristics in the Lower Bengal Basin: Potential impacts on groundwater

The risk of groundwater depletion is most significant if anthropogenic withdrawals are high in regions where the subsurface characteristics do not favor surface water infiltration and natural recharge. However, such regions have not been identified systematically in the Indo-Gangetic basin, one of the most fertile alluvial aquifers in the world. This identification may be enabled by a study of how seasonal changes in subsurface characteristics affect groundwater levels. We conducted a resistivity survey in Nanoor block of the Lower Ganges Basin, where groundwater levels have declined steeply in recent decades, to determine how subsurface characteristics controlling infiltration and groundwater quality may change seasonally. Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) using the Schlumberger electrode array were conducted over an 8 km² area with an electrode spacing of 180-200 meters during the pre-monsoon (April 2018) and post-monsoon (October 2018) seasons. Seasonal variations in the Dar- Zarrouk parameters: longitudinal conductance, transverse resistance, and the coefficient of anisotropy were evaluated. While the average longitudinal conductance remained unchanged across seasons, it increased in certain locations in post-monsoon, indicating potential risks of contamination from the surface. The transverse resistance significantly increased in the post-monsoon, suggesting reduced groundwater potential. Additionally, in some areas, the coefficient of anisotropy indicated increased compaction of overburden layers in the post-monsoon, suggesting decreased natural recharge potential. Finally, the thickness of the unsaturated zone increased significantly from pre-monsoon to post-monsoon, which may be attributed to groundwater withdrawal for irrigation during the Kharif cropping season. These results indicate that this region, heavily reliant on groundwater for irrigation, is characterized by subsurface properties that allow limited natural recharge potential. This study may provide a framework for managing groundwater resources in developing countries where anthropogenic withdrawals are likely to have a more significant impact on groundwater levels than reduced natural recharge due to changing rainfall characteristics.

Watering the Seeds of the Rural Economy: Evidence from Groundwater Irrigation in India

ABSTRACT This study explores the impact of private investment in groundwater extraction for irrigation on the spatial and sectoral distribution of rural economic activity in India. Exploiting a kink in access to groundwater, generated from an absolute technological constraint on the operational capacity of irrigation pumps with depth of the water table, there is evidence of a significant improvement in agricultural production accompanied with modest consumption gains. Groundwater extraction causes a substantial increase in population density, but has no effect on the employment rate or labor reallocation between sectors of the economy. Furthermore, irrigated agriculture appears to provide additional employment opportunities for waged labor from surrounding non-irrigated villages.

Water productivity and date palm production: a field study in Biskra Region

In southern Algeria, agriculture is mainly based on groundwater irrigation, leading to significant water consumption, Improving water productivity in field-scale irrigation is critical for sustainable water management and the protection of this valuable resource. In the present study, to analyze water productivity, data were collected on the volumes of irrigation water applied and the resulting yields from 24 farmers through a survey questionnaire during the 2022-2023 agricultural season water productivity for date palm cultivation was evaluated in Biskra region of Algeria. The study found that water productivity values ranged from 0.4 to 1.1 in kg m-3 with an Average of 0.83 kg m-3, consequently, producing one kilogram of dates requires 1220.35 liters of water. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the water productivity of date palms was moderate compared to the results of other studies conducted in various regions around the world. This research highlights the critical need for strategies to enhance water-use efficiency, including the implementation of advanced irrigation technologies and improved management practices.

Geogenic and anthropogenic factors influencing groundwater quality for irrigation purposes from a volcano-sedimentary aquifer in the Puebla State, Mexico.

This study investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics and water quality of the Puebla Valley aquifer, a volcano-sedimentary system predominantly influenced by water-rock interactions and ion exchange processes. The research assesses the suitability of groundwater for agricultural irrigation by applying various water quality indices, including salinity and sodicity indices and Wilcox diagrams and USSL. Seventy-one water samples were analyzed to determine key physicochemical parameters and dominant ion concentrations, revealing that the primary hydrogeochemical facies are HCO -Mg and HCO -Ca. The results indicate a heightened risk of salinization, particularly in agricultural and urban areas, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring. Natural processes such as water-rock interaction and ion exchange are the main factors influencing groundwater quality. However, anthropogenic activities, particularly the use of fertilizers and irrigation return flows from the Atoyac River, exacerbate groundwater quality degradation. This study emphasizes the necessity of sustainable water resource management to ensure the long-term viability of the aquifer.

Slightly Saline Water Improved Physiology, Growth, and Yield of Tomato Plants in Yellow Sand Substrate

Efficient utilization of saline water and yellow sand resources can enhance water and soil resource management while boosting crop yields in Xinjiang. This study conducted a two-season field experiment in Alar City, Xinjiang, from March to July 2023 and August 2023 to January 2024. The objective was to examine the effects of different irrigation water salinities (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 g·L−1) on the physiology, growth, and yield of sand-cultured tomatoes grown in yellow sand slag. Groundwater irrigation with salinity levels of 0.8–1 g·L−1 was used as the control (CK). The results showed that the salinity of the substrate gradually increased with the salinity of irrigation water in each treatment. The salt accumulation increased by 59.5%, 82.5%, and 99.5% at the end of the experiment for T3 (4 g·L−1), T4 (5 g·L−1), and T5 (6 g·L−1), respectively, compared to CK. As the salinity of irrigation water increased, plant height, stem thickness, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and total yield of tomato showed an increasing and then decreasing trend, in which the total tomato yield of the T2 (3 g·L−1) treatment was significantly increased by 35.2% compared with that of CK between the two seasons. In contrast, as the salinity of irrigation water increased, the inter-cellular CO2 concentration of tomato leaves showed a decreasing and then increasing trend, with the T2 treatment having the lowest inter-cellular CO2 concentration. Pathway analysis revealed that appropriate salinity levels increased tomato yield by regulating inter-cellular CO2 concentration. Based on these findings, a 3 g·L−1 salinity level is recommended for irrigating sand-cultured tomatoes to maximize yellow sand resource use, address freshwater shortages, and optimize water and soil management in the Xinjiang region.

Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation purpose in aquifers of the Upper Brahmaputra floodplains of Assam, India.

Groundwater is an essential natural resource for mankind. Due to various geogenic and anthropogenic causes, groundwater quality has raised serious concern over the years. In this study, groundwater quality was evaluated for its suitability for irrigation in the Jorhat and Golaghat Districts of Assam, India. A total of 100 groundwater samples were collected from shallow aquifers (< 35m) from different locations during the pre-monsoon season (March-April 2022). Groundwater in the study area is slightly alkaline in nature (mean pH value of 7.44). The average cations and anions chemistry are in the order of Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > CO32-, respectively. Ca-Mg-HCO3 followed by Na-Ca-HCO3-Cl are the primary water types in the study area. Pearson's correlation matrix showed a positive correlation between TDS and EC (r = 0.78) and sodium showed a positive correlation with TDS and bicarbonate (r = 0.62 and r = 0.65), respectively. Gibbs plot indicated that rock-water interaction is the dominant factor that controls the chemistry of the groundwater of the area. Irrigation parameters like Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Magnesium Absorption Ratio (MAR), Kelly's Ratio (KR), and Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) indicated that groundwater is overall suitable for irrigation. USSL diagram illustrated that most of the samples fell into the C2 (medium salinity) and S1 (low sodium hazard) categories. Wilcox plot showed the samples fell in excellent to good categories indicating fitness of groundwater for irrigation in the area.

Characterization of hydrogeochemical elements in determining the ground water quality for irrigation potential and its correlation with climatological parameters of chennai basin aquifer system, southern india.

An attempt has been made to comprehend the ground water quality and climate impacts of the Chennai River basin, which is aimed at its main socio-economic growth of the state of Tamil Nadu. The ground water samples collected from the study area were analyzed for its hydrogeochemical elements. The ground water quality and irrigation suitability were determined using several water quality assessment metrics. Ground water is extensively utilized for irrigation in the entire basin area for the past two decades, especially in the 38 over-exploited Firkas out of the 109 Firkas of the basin. It is inferred that the phreatic aquifer ground water quality is fresh in about 20%, as indicated by the EC value (< 750µs/cm) at 25°C. In about 63% of the ground water indicating the moderately fresh showing the EC varies between 751 and 2250µs/cm at 25°C, 11% of ground water exerted an EC ranging between 2251 and 3000µs/cm at 25°C indicating that the ground water is slightly mineralized, and in about 6% of groundwater, the EC is > 3000µs/cm at 25°C indicating that the ground water is highly mineralized. There were no water samples that exceeded the permissible limit of chloride either in phreatic aquifer or in fracture aquifer. The changes in rainfall frequency and atmospheric temperature affect the ground water movement and storage directly and indirectly. Similarly, the temperature data shows a positive relationship with the concentration of fluoride and nitrate ions in the water.

Social inequalities shape climate change adaptation among Indian farmers

Abstract Agricultural technologies are vital for farmers adapting to climate change. However, while efforts have focused on improving access and initial adoption, little attention has been given to social disparities in rates of adoption and the benefits derived from these technologies. Our study investigates the adoption of groundwater irrigation technology in India, a transformative innovation that has historically enhanced productivity and food security, and helped agricultural households adapt to a changing climate. We use a nationwide household survey sample that spans nearly a decade, capturing a key period of groundwater expansion in India. Our analysis reveals that members of highly marginalized social groups are less likely to adopt groundwater irrigation technologies, and less likely to sustain their use of the technologies for long periods of time. Furthermore, the household-level benefits of the technologies–operationalized through the relationship between technology adoption and income–appear lower for households belonging to historically marginalized groups compared to the historically advantaged. Our study underscores the importance of addressing social inequalities in both adoption as well as the sustained utilization of agricultural technologies and other climate adaptation tools. Disparities in the utilization of these technologies can hinder farmers’ ability to access new innovations and adapt to increasing threats from climate change. Targeted policies and interventions are essential to not only provide historically marginalized groups access to technological innovations, but also facilitate their effective utilization.

The spatial and temporal variation of the terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) of Iraq for the period 2002-2019 based on GRACE gravity data

This study utilized data from the NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to examine the variability of the terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) in Iraq between 2002 and 2019. The analysis focused on six grid cells representing the Iraqi territory. The season trend decomposition (SLT) method was used to decompose the signal time series of TWSA to reveal the seasonality, trend, and random noise for the six GRACE blocks. Results proved that Block01 in northwestern side of Iraq, experienced a significant reduction in TWS between 2002 and 2009, followed by a negative linear trend until 2015, and then a positive trend. Block02 which is located in the northeastern part of Iraq showed a decreasing trend in TWS until 2008, after which it had a positive trend. Block03 in the western central side of Iraq reveals a decrease in TWS from 2002 to 2008, followed by a negative linear trend until 2016, and then a positive trend. Block04 in the eastern Mesopotamian plain had a minor increase in TWS until 2006, followed by a substantial decrease until 2016, before stabilizing and showing a positive trend. Block05 in the southwestern side of Iraq demonstrated a continuous decline in TWSA. In contrast, TWS increased in block6 on the southeastern side from 2002 to 2007, then decreased from 2007 to 2009. TWSA levels remained stable from 2009 to 2016, then increased from 2016 to the end of 2019. The seasonal fluctuations in TWS varied across the blocks, but generally, surpluses were observed in winter and spring, while deficits were observed in summer and autumn. The shortage in TWS is attributed to drought and excessive use of groundwater for irrigation. The recent positive trends in TWS in some blocks suggest that the drought may be coming to an end, but further analysis is necessary to reach a definitive conclusion.

Sustainable Water Resource Planning for Alanda Micro Watershed Using Geospatial Techniques

Groundwater is a vital natural resource, especially in areas lacking surface water bodies. About one-third of the global population relies on it for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes. However, excessive and unregulated exploitation has led to a rapid decline in water tables, emphasizing the need for sustainable groundwater management. The Alanda micro watershed in Barshitakli Taluka, Akola District, Maharashtra, spans 11.39 km², with a sub-humid climate and uneven monsoon rainfall averaging 780 mm. The region faces high water stress in summer, with dried bore wells and farmers relying on rain and groundwater for irrigation. The water resource development plan for Alanda micro watersheds integrates GIS, remote sensing and AHP to identify groundwater potential zones. The Alanda micro watershed soil and water conservation plans were developed using GIS, remote sensing and the AHP method. Thematic maps were overlaid in ArcGIS, applying weighted factors from a pairwise comparison matrix to identify groundwater potential zones. These zones, categorised as high, moderate and low potential, highlight that the largest area has moderate potential, suggesting good opportunities for conservation measures. The survey of the study area identified existing soil and water conservation structures, including 3 farm ponds, 1 check dam and a contour bund. Additional recommendations include 5 farm ponds, 4 check dams, contour trenches and bunding measures, along with agronomic practices for effective surface and groundwater management.

Assessment of groundwater quality, irrigation suitability, and health risks from radon and heavy metals near Ilokun dumpsite, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Concentrations of 222Rn and other toxic metals (Ni, Cu, Fe, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Mn) were measured by alpha spectrometry using Rad7 and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively, in the water samples from the Ilokun dumpsite, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The physicochemical parameters of the groundwater were also assayed to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. While the physicochemical parameters met the World Health Organization (WHO)-safety standards, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Mn exceeded permissible limits. Hazard index (HI) values for adults (8.40) and children (39.23) indicated heightened susceptibility to non-carcinogenic health risks among both age group populations. The 222Rn concentrations present in the studied samples range from 5.4 to 23.1 Bq l−1 with an average of 13.9 Bq l−1. Approximately 60% of the samples have radon concentrations above the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-maximum contaminant level of 11.1 Bq l−1. The evaluated radiation doses to the stomach and respiratory tract due to radon content in the water are well below the WHO-specified individual dose criterion of 0.1 mSv year−1. This study suggests a need for groundwater resource management strategies and measures to protect human health from radiological and toxicological risks associated with groundwater consumption around the Ilokun dumpsite.