Assessment Of Groundwater Quality Research Articles

Assessment, classification and mapping of groundwater quality for agriculture in selected farm settlements of southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Good water quality is very vital to the productivity and sustainability of irrigated agriculture. The suitability for irrigation of groundwater samples collected and analyzed during dry and wet seasons from Ajegunle, Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements of southwestern Nigeria were assessed using several irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs). The parameters were analyzed statistically and subjected to correlation. Seasonal spatial distribution maps were generated via GIS. All the water samples from the three farm settlements were found to be mostly soft, fresh, excellent, and suitable for irrigation in both seasons. Meanwhile, soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and Kelley's Ratio (KR) revealed them as unsuitable while other parameters showed different degrees of suitability for different samples from different farm settlements in different seasons. Significant correlations were seen between the selected parameters in both seasons. The distribution maps reveal the spatial distributions of selected parameters within Ajegunle and Akufo farm settlements. Utilizing these findings will enhance systematic groundwater exploitation for irrigation within the settlements. Furthermore, systematic irrigation management practices and crop choices, based on the concentrations and distribution of the parameters viz-a-viz crop requirements should be considered to limit potential dangers that may arise with the use of the water over a long period.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Groundwater Quality in Phreatic and Confined Aquifers of the Hebei Plain, China

This study aims to investigate hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Hebei Plain and to discuss factors controlling the groundwater quality. A total of 54 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for 31 hydrogeochemical parameters, and a fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was used for assessing groundwater quality. Results show groundwater total hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and major ions excluding K+ in phreatic aquifers higher than that in confined aquifers. From the Piedmont plain to the littoral plain, phreatic aquifers towards the reducing environment, and the enhancement of water–rock interaction, ion exchange process, and evaporation probably resulted in the increase in groundwater TDS, major ions (excluding HCO3− and SO42−), B, and Mn concentrations. Moreover, phreatic groundwater chemistry was mainly controlled by rock weathering changing into evaporite dissolution and seawater intrusion from the Piedmont plain to the littoral plain, according to the Gibbs diagram. The proportion of drinkable groundwater in confined aquifers was 1.6 times that in phreatic aquifers. In phreatic aquifers, the proportion of drinkable groundwater in the Piedmont plain was as high as 68%, but none of the drinkable groundwater occurred in the central and littoral plains. Groundwater quality in phreatic aquifers was mainly controlled by five factors, including the water–rock interaction, the marine geogenic sources, the agricultural pollution, the acidification, and the reductive environment. By contrast, groundwater quality in confined aquifers was mainly controlled by three factors, including the water–rock interaction and redox processes, agricultural pollution, and the input of external water. Therefore, in the Hebei Plain, groundwater in confined aquifers is more suitable for drinking purposes than in phreatic aquifers. Additionally, phreatic groundwater in the Piedmont plain should be protected.

Assessment of Ground Water Quality of Lucknow City under GIS Framework Using Water Quality Index (WQI)

Continuous groundwater quality monitoring is crucial for ensuring safe drinking and irrigation by mitigating risks from geochemical contaminants through appropriate treatment methods. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the suitability of groundwater collected from Lucknow, India, for both drinking and irrigation. Forty samples were collected from different sites within the study area to evaluate groundwater quality. Various parameters such as pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorides (Cl−), total alkalinity, total hardness, sulphate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), fluorides (F−), iron (Fe), arsenic (As), magnesium (Mg2+), and calcium (Ca2+) were analyzed. The weighted arithmetic water quality index (WAWQI), a vital rating system representing overall water quality, was employed to classify the water into different categories, such as very good, good, moderate, poor, and unfit for drinking. This classification is invaluable for public awareness and decision-making to make informed decisions regarding effective management, treatment, and sustainable societal development on a broader scale. A correlation matrix was generated and analyzed to observe correlations between the various parameters. Additionally, spatial distribution maps for the analyzed parameters and WQI were prepared using the inverse distance weighted (IDW) method. The study found that WQI values in the area ranged from 2.64 to 168.68, indicating good water quality in most places except for the Kukrail region, where the water quality is unfit for drinking purposes. The water quality map shows that 86% of the area falls under the very good category, 14.63% under good to moderate quality, and 0.37% is categorized as unfit for drinking. Consequently, the findings suggest that the groundwater in the studied area is safe and suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Groundwater Quality Assessment for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes at Al-Jouf Area in KSA Using Artificial Neural Network, GIS, and Multivariate Statistical Techniques

Groundwater is an essential resource for drinking and agricultural purposes in the Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. The main objective of this study is to assess groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in the Al-Jouf region. Physicochemical characteristics of groundwater were determined, including total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, electric conductivity (EC), hardness, and various anions and cations. The groundwater quality index (WQI) was calculated to determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. The EC, sodium percentage (Na+ %), magnesium hazard (MH), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), potential salinity (PS), and Kelley’s ratio (KR) were assessed to evaluate the suitability of groundwater for irrigation. Effective statistical tests and Feed-forward neural network (FFNN) modeling were applied to reveal the correlation between parameters and predict WQI. The results indicated that approximately all samples are appropriate for drinking and irrigation uses except samples of the Al Qaryat region. The ionic abundance ranking was Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ for cations, and Cl− > SO42− > NO3− for anions. Moreover, the groundwater is dominated by alkali metals (K+ and Na+) and controlled by the rock–water interaction process. The indicators of groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking according to the following criteria (Na+ %, SAR, KR, MH, PS, WQI (WHO), and WQI (BIS)) can be predicted by the FFNN with root mean square errors (RMSE) of 0.136, 0.070, 0.022, 0.073, 2.45 × 10−3, 1.45 × 10−2, and 1.18 × 10−2, respectively, and R2 of 0.99, 1.00, 0.99, 0.99, 1.00, 1.00, and 1.00, respectively.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Purposes using Hydrochemical Diagrams and Chemical Indexes

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Purposes using Hydrochemical Diagrams and Chemical Indexes

Identification of the Groundwater Quality and Potential Noncarcinogenic Health Risk Assessment of Nitrate in the Groundwater of El Milia Plain, Kebir Rhumel Basin, Algeria

In this study, we analyzed the quality and the potential noncarcinogenic health risk of nitrate in groundwater in the El Milia plain, Kebir Rhumel Basin, Algeria. Moran’s I and the ordinary kriging (OK) interpolation technique were used to examine the spatial distribution pattern of the hydrochemical parameters in the groundwater. It was found that the hydrochemical parameters Ca, Cl, and HCO3 showed strong spatial autocorrelation in the El Milia plain, indicating a spatial dependence and clustering of these parameters in the groundwater. The groundwater quality was evaluated using the entropy water quality index (EWQI). The results showed that approximately 86% of the total groundwater samples in the study area fall within the moderate groundwater quality category. The spatial map of the EWQI values indicated an increasing trend from the south-west to the northeast, following the direction of groundwater flow. The highest EWQI values were observed near El Milia city in the center of the plain. This spatial pattern suggests variations in groundwater quality across the study area, with potentially higher risks near the city center. The potential noncarcinogenic health risks associated with nitrate contamination in groundwater for adults and children through the drinking water pathway were assessed using the hazard quotient (HQ). The results revealed that approximately 5.7% of the total groundwater samples exceeded the HQ limit for adults, indicating potential health risks. Moreover, a higher percentage, 14.28%, of the total groundwater samples exceeded the HQ limit for children, highlighting their increased vulnerability to noncarcinogenic health hazards associated with nitrate contamination in the study area. Taking timely action and ensuring strict compliance with regulations in groundwater management are crucial for protecting public health, preserving the environment, addressing water scarcity, and achieving sustainable development goals.

Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Geospatial Mapping for Assessing Groundwater Quality in West El Minia District, Egypt

The primary goal of this study is to analyze the hydrogeochemical properties and assess the groundwater quality for drinking, domestic, and irrigation purposes in West El Minia, Egypt. Major components were determined in 49 groundwater samples to evaluate water quality in the study area. Principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), geostatistics, and spatial mapping were used to identify the chemical components and processes that influence groundwater quality and highlight areas of health risks. According to the TDS values, about 22% of the groundwater samples are suitable for drinking. Due to the elevated values of hardness in the examined water, none of the water samples are suitable for use in a household. The majority of groundwater samples are acceptable for irrigation based on the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Kelley ratio (KR), magnesium hazard (MH), and permeability index, and some can be adequately treated. The study indicated that different groundwater characteristics (such as TDS, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, and SO42−) do not comply with WHO requirements in some regions, which may pose a threat to human health.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Relation to Organic versus Mineral Fertilization

Groundwater pollution is a threat to the environment and human health because it is an important source of drinking water. Groundwater is used to supply water to communities and pollution occurs when harmful substances and contaminants infiltrate into the groundwater. Through excessive use of fertilizers, agriculture is a major contributor to groundwater pollution. This study tests the impact of organic and mineral fertilization on the groundwater physiochemical parameters and explores the potential consequences of using manure as fertilizer on groundwater nitrate pollution. The experiment was carried out in Satu Mare County, Romania, where both organic (manure) and mineral fertilizers were applied to potato cultures to test their impact on 18 physiochemical parameters of groundwater quality. Basic Statistics, Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), and Principal Components Analysis were used for emphasizing the impact of mineral and organic fertilization on groundwater quality and relationships between analyzed groundwater parameters. The results show that groundwater corresponding to the site where the higher dose of organic fertilization was applied is characterized by nitrate concentrations (64.92 mg/L) and pH values (6.3 pH units) beyond the allowed limits. Based on the calculated NPI (2.21), it falls within the significant pollution category. Two principal factors were identified as having an impact on groundwater quality: fertilizer type and administered dose, respectively.

Impact of dairy farms on groundwater quality in a productive basin in the northeast of the Pampean Plain, Argentina

The Pampean Plain is a relevant world food production area where livestock and agricultural activities are developed. The northeast of this region is characterized by dairy production, where large quantities of excreta from the animals to the substrate cause environmental impacts associated with soil and groundwater contamination. On these dairy farms, the same water sources are used for animal nutrition, cleaning of facilities, and home consumption by rural workers. Groundwater quality assessment is therefore crucial to guaranteeing safe production and human supply. The aim of this work is to analyse the impact of family dairy farming on the geochemical processes that govern the groundwater quality of aquifers used for domestic and animal consumption in productive basins of the northeast Pampean Plain. An analysis of major ions, nitrates, and phosphates in groundwater was performed in 42 wells sampled at different periods. Also, sediments in diverse sectors were collected to be analysed for available phosphorus. The main point sources of contamination that were identified derive from farm facilities’ cleaning and the degradation of animal excrement. These sources infiltrate toward the unsaturated zone and reach the groundwater, or they directly enter through poorly constructed perforations. This produces reactions in the unsaturated zone, releasing protons and generating the dissolution of carbonates, increasing the groundwater hardness. The chemical compounds registered may produce limitations in water quality for human consumption and the development of agricultural activities, affecting animal nutrition and the production of a dairy basin in the northeast of the Pampean Plain.

Groundwater quality assessment in the catchment area of Kadey (East-Cameroon): water quality index approach

Groundwater quality assessment in the catchment area of Kadey (East-Cameroon): water quality index approach

Impact of stone quarries on groundwater quality at Achenkovil River Basin, Southern Western Ghats, India: Investigation using WQI and GIS

AbstractThe quality concern of groundwater owing to human activities is mounting at a shocking rate in many of the river basins in Southern India. A study was carried out in this work to determine the quality of groundwater in the Achenkovil River Basin (ARB) in the Southern Western Ghats region of Kerala, India. A total of 25 dug well water samples were collected from the vicinity of aggregate quarries during the pre and post monsoon seasons of 2020–2021. The water quality index has been applied to categorize the water quality, namely, excellent, good, poor, etc. to infer the quality of water to the people and policy makers in the concerned area. The WQI results showed that 12% of the water samples in good and 28% depict in very poor category. The Hill‐Piper Trilinear diagram reveals that the groundwater of the study area falls under Ca2+/Mg2+, and HCO3− and SO42−, Cl−, Mg2+ types. The hydro‐chemistry of the rock‐dominant water type of the quarrying area is inhibited by geogenic‐processes along with the percolation of prevailing quarry leachate and infiltration into the nearby wells. The correlation matrix has been created and analyzed to observe their significant impetus on the assessment of groundwater quality. The overall quality of groundwater systems in the quarrying area, according to the various indices, is not fit for domestic consumption without mandatory quality treatment, but is suitable for irrigation.

A Fuzzy Inference System for enhanced groundwater quality assessment and index determination

Abstract Groundwater is a vital resource for human consumption, particularly in rural areas with limited access to treated water. The conventional Water Quality Index models used for this purpose have limitations related to data volatility and judgment uncertainties. To overcome these limitations, our study introduces a novel approach that employs a Fuzzy Inference System to determine the Water Quality Index. The dataset used in our research includes multiple parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO3, Cl, SO4, TH, DWQI, and other physio-chemical and chemical parameters. Our approach utilizes linguistic variables, fuzzy rules, and the hyperbolic tangent set function to handle imprecise and uncertain water quality data. By employing Fuzzy C-Means clustering, we group similar water samples based on quality parameters and map membership values to linguistic terms representing water quality categories. Suitable defuzzification methods are then applied to convert fuzzy outputs into precise results. This proposed approach provides a comprehensive framework for accurate water quality assessment, enabling informed decision-making and more reliable and precise evaluations of groundwater quality.

Groundwater potential and quality assessments of a coastal environment: a case study of the location of Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Groundwater potential and quality assessments of a coastal environment: a case study of the location of Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Groundwater quality assessment for sustainable irrigation in Nanton district, Ghana

Abstract As part of the semi-arid region, Ghana falls within the West African Sahel region with high climatic variability and severe droughts, especially in the Northern parts. The Northern region is characterized as one of the driest in Ghana. It experiences one rainy season in a year, though agriculture is one of the main economic activities. Nanton district in the Northern region consists of farming communities. However, there is limited availability of water for crop watering during the dry season and groundwater could become a possible source of water supply. This research, therefore, seeks to provide information on the irrigation quality status of groundwater in the Nanton district. Information from this research also aims to assist policymakers take the right decisions for sustainable agriculture in the study area. Irrigation water indexes in combination with the USSL diagram were adopted as methods for analyses in this research. Results generally suggest that groundwater in the study area is suitable for irrigation purposes, except for a few places in the district. Further studies should be conducted to precisely state the quality of water used for drinking and domestic purposes. The research should also emphasize identifying factors controlling groundwater chemistry in the area.

Hydrogeochemical analysis and groundwater quality assessment of Ughelli South, Southern Nigeria.

This study investigated the groundwater quality in Ughelli South, Southern Nigeria, and the factors that are affecting it. Fifty groundwater samples were collected from various wells and tested for physical, chemical, and heavy metal contents. The data were analyzed using various techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and hydrochemical characterization. Findings revealed that the study area's groundwater was slightly acidic, with most variables falling within recommended limits except for lead, manganese, and copper, which were in the marginal category in 78%, 6%, and 2% of the samples, respectively. The CA and PCA identified lead as the most significant pollutant in the area. The hydrochemical characterization revealed that rock weathering was the primary process influencing the water chemistry and that the water is suitable for irrigation. The water quality index revealed that 72% of the samples were in the good to excellent water class, while the remaining 28% were in the poor to a very poor water class which may be due to lead pollution. The concerned authorities should take necessary precautions to prevent further deterioration.

Hydrochemical Characteristics and Quality Evaluation of Irrigation and Drinking Water in Bangong Co Lake Watershed in Northwest Tibetan Plateau

Bangong Lake is a narrow and long lake in the arid region of the plateau in northern Tibet. The salinity of the east of the lake is different from that the west, resulting in differences in the natural environment and human living conditions on each side. Watershed hydrochemical analysis and spatial statistical analysis can help to understand regional hydrochemical evolution and water quality evaluation. In this study, the hydrochemical characteristics of surface water (glacier, river, and lake) and groundwater in the Bangong Co Lake Watershed were investigated to reveal the relationships between various water bodies. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) and USSL classification were applied to assess groundwater quality suitability for agricultural and drinking purposes. The hydrochemical characteristics show the differences among water bodies and their spatial distribution. The analyzed groundwater and surface water samples, such as river water and glaciers, were mainly Ca-HCO3-type and the lake water was mainly categorized as Na-Cl-type with some Na-HCO3-Cl type. The lake water’s chemical components are mainly affected by evaporative karst decomposition. The main mineralization process of groundwater and river water was related to the dissolution of reservoir minerals, such as dolomite and calcite, as well as halite. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) indicates that 79% of the groundwater samples in the study area were of good enough quality for drinking. In terms of irrigation water quality, the electrical conductivity (EC), calculated sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and magnesium hazardous ratio (MHR) showed that more than 13% of the total samples were not suitable for irrigation. However, the USSL classification indicated that glacier and river water are relatively suitable for irrigation. Additionally, some groundwater and lake water has very high alkalinity or salinity, which is alarming when considering them for irrigation.

Groundwater quality assessment of the northern region of the Middle Sébaou in Algeria, using water quality index and multivariate analysis

Groundwater quality assessment of the northern region of the Middle Sébaou in Algeria, using water quality index and multivariate analysis

Assessment and Characterization of Groundwater Quality of Malabar Coast in Kerala, India

A study was conducted to assess and characterize the groundwater quality of coastal aquifer of the Vatakara-Koyilandy stretch in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. Mann-Kendall Test was used for analysing the trend in groundwater levels. The Piper diagram was applied to determine the chemical facies of the groundwater and identify the evolution of hydrochemical parameters of groundwater sources. The source of the dissolved ions in the groundwater was described by the Gibbs diagram. The suitability of groundwater for irrigation was determined using the United States Salinity Laboratory diagram. Geostatistical tools were used to describe the spatial variability of groundwater levels and salinity and the ordinary kriging method was used to plot the spatial variability maps. It was found that Na+ was the predominant cation with maximum concentration varying from 455.6 mg/l to 1844 mg/l during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon; respectively. Concentration of Cl- in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon varied from 184 mg/l to 2417 mg/l and 99 mg/l to 714 mg/l; respectively. Other anions in the groundwater were SO42- and HCO3- with an average concentration of 239.79 mg/l and 129.59 mg/l in pre-monsoon and 110.73 mg/l and 75 mg/l in post-monsoon; respectively. The trend in groundwater in confined and semi-confined aquifers showed negative trends whereas eight wells resulted in a significantly negative trend. However, a significant decreasing trend was observed in wells near the coasts. The most dominant cations were (Na+, and K+) and the dominant anions were SO42- and Cl-. The dominant cations and anions were from the mixing of seawater with the groundwater. The Na+ ions were also found to be from the same source. In most of the area, the groundwater was highly to very high highly saline with medium sodium and not suitable for irrigation. In the unconfined aquifer, 25.2% and, in the semi-confined aquifer 24.0% area was found to be unfit for irrigation.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Ho Chi Minh City by Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI)

One of the crucial tasks in determining the aquifer response and the current groundwater quality in Ho Chi Minh City is monitoring the quality of the groundwater. This study evaluates the groundwater quality in Ho Chi Minh City from August 2022 to February 2023 using monitoring data and groundwater quality index (GWQI) calculations compared to the Vietnamese standard. The sampling, processing, and handling procedures involve both laboratory and field measurements. The groundwater in Ho Chi Minh City is contaminated because it exceeds safety standards for factors like pH, Ammonia (NH4+), Coliform, Chloride (Cl-), Permanganate index, and Plumbum (Pb). To determine the possible impact on the water quality of the area, statistical analysis is performed to calculate the correlation coefficient of each parameter with GWQI and the linear link between various pairs of water quality parameters. It showed that Coliform significantly influenced the groundwater quality index. According to the GWQI calculated at 14 monitoring stations, the quality of the groundwater in February 2023 is higher than it was in August and November 2022. Maintaining the monitoring system is required to track and assess the groundwater progress as well as annually.

Groundwater quality, fluoride health risk and geochemical modelling for drinking and irrigation water suitability assessment in Tundla block, Uttar Pradesh, India

Groundwater quality assessment is crucial for determining the suitability of water resources required for human consumption and agriculture. To investigate the quality of groundwater in Tundla block, Uttar Pradesh, India, 50 samples were harvested from boreholes and hydrochemistry analysis was carried out. Entropy water quality index (EWQI) and irrigation water quality index (IWQI) were computed employing different suitability parameters to assess its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Geochemical modelling using PHREEQC served to simulate the solubility equilibria of mineral combinations by determining the saturation index (SI). Based on EWQI values the groundwater samples fall under two classes, these being medium (70%) and poor (30%) quality. The USSL plot indicated high salinization of the groundwater sample. Piper plot reveals the presence of two hydrogeochemical facies, viz. mixed type (72% samples) and Cl−-Na+ type (28% samples). Geochemical modelling based on thermodynamic laws confirms the presence of high-solubility evaporitic minerals such as anhydrite, fluorite, and gypsum, and more stable precipitated mineral types like calcite, aragonite, and dolomite. A fraction of samples showed over-saturation of some minerals, namely dolomite (38%), calcite (32%), and aragonite (20%). Around 28% of the samples exhibited a large amount of F− in groundwater at concentrations higher than BIS-prescribed safe limits (>1.5 mg L−1). Conducting health risk assessment shows that children and infants in the region are at a non-cancer risk (HQ > 1) due to sustained F− intake through drinking water. The spatial distribution of EWQI revealed medium-quality groundwater for drinking purposes in the south-central sub-area of Tundla. With reference to irrigation, groundwater sources are of better quality in the south sub-area.