Hydrogeochemical Assessment Of Groundwater Quality Research Articles

Integrated Approach to Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Major Industrial Zone of Punjab, Pakistan.

Groundwater contamination with arsenic (As) is a significant concern in Pakistan's Punjab Province. This study analyzed 69 groundwater samples from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Multan to understand hydrogeochemistry, health impacts, contamination sources, and drinking suitability. Results revealed varying as concentrations across districts, with distinctive cation and anion orders. Faisalabad exhibited Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Fe2+ for cations and SO42- > Cl- > HCO3- > NO3- > F- for anions. Gujranwala showed Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > F- for anions. In Lahore, demonstrated: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Fe > K+ for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > F- for anions. Multan indicated K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > Fe for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > F- > NO3- ) for anions. Hydrochemical facies were identified as CaHCO3 and CaMgCl types. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), highlighted the influence of natural processes and human activities on groundwater pollution. Water Quality Index (WQI) result reveal that most samples met water quality standards. The carcinogenic risk values for children exceeded permissible limits in all districts, emphasizing a significant cancer risk. The study highlights the need for rigorous monitoring to mitigate (As) contamination and protect public health from associated hazards.

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Drinking and Agricultural Use. The Case Study of Fars Province, Iran

This study aims to evaluate the hydrogeochemistry of aquifers in Fars province, Iran, from 2007 to 2017 and assess the groundwater’s suitability for drinking and agricultural uses. A total of 35,000 samples were collected from wells and qanats across the province. Piper, Gibbs, and Durov diagrams were used to assess the hydrochemical facies and processes. Cross plots of different ions were investigated to assess ion exchange and determine the effects of anthropogenic activities, as well as the weathering and dissolution of different rocks and minerals in the aquifers. Groundwater quality and suitability for agricultural and drinking purposes were also assessed using physicochemical parameters including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), and calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, sulfate, and chloride concentrations. Suitability for domestic purposes was assessed by comparing these values with the WHO standards. Sodium and alkalinity hazards, including Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), Permeability Index (PI), Magnesium Hazard (MH), and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) were used to assess irrigation suitability, along with plotting Wilcox and USSL diagrams.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation applying groundwater quality index (GWQI) and irrigation water quality index (IWQI)

In recent times, the contamination of groundwater in the extended part of Chota Nagpur Plateau becomes a big concern. The demand of high-quality drinking and irrigation water has been significantly augmented. Consequently, productivity and fertility of soils are being reduced in the recent years due to use of low quality irrigation water. Thus, it is crucial to know the groundwater quality for the appropriate planning and management of groundwater resources to determine its use for drinking and irrigation purposes. Therefore, the principal objectives of this study are (i) to evaluate the magnitude and spatial variations of groundwater quality using the Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) for drinking and (ii) to examine the irrigation suitability of groundwater using irrigation water quality index (IWQI). Sodium absorption ratio (SAR), Soluble sodium percentage (SSP), Magnesium hazard (MH), Kelly's index (KI), Permeability Index (PI) have been applied for suitability of irrigation water. Result showed that in 2021, GWQI values vary from 51.75 to 171.18 and seven blocks of the Purulia district among twenty blocks have poor drinking water quality while in 2022 it ranges from 70.27 to 178.45 and eight blocks stand poor water quality. In terms of irrigation water quality, Purulia II and Hura blocks come under the ‘doubtful’ or ‘poor ‘categories in pre and post-monsoon seasons for both the years. Hydro-chemical facies through Piper, USSL and Durov's diagram showed medium to high salinity and low to medium sodium hazards in this region. Feldspar and biotite minerals of granite and gneiss accelerate the bicarbonate and chloride ions in groundwater. Non point sources are also responsible for water quality deterioration in this agricultural dominated region. These research findings will help to policy makers and administrators for the management of groundwater resources and agricultural sustainability particularly in the dryland region.

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Geological Influence in Igarra and environs, Southwestern Nigeria

The impact of Geology on groundwater is not fully appreciated in many Nigerian groundwater quality literature. This study investigates the influence of Geology on the hydrogeochemical makeup of groundwater in Igarra and environs, Nigeria. Igarra and environs is underlain by metasediments intruded by Pan African Granites. Ten water samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory to determine their chemical composition. The results revealed that the pH of most samples was slightly acidic to mainly alkaline, with high electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) values. Correlation and regression analyses showed that the TDS, EC, salinity, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and major and minor constituents positively influenced the pH of the groundwater. Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that the water samples had different compositions and concentrations based on local geological influences. The water samples from Granite, Quartzites, Migmatites and Gneiss rock types shared similar characteristics and had a lower concentration of minerals than the water samples taken from the Quartz Mica Schists and Metaconglomerates. The water in Igarra was predominantly Magnesium Bicarbonate type. However, some of the water samples exceeded the drinking standards for TDS, EC, Cl, Fe, Cr, Cd, and Pb. The study recommends the inclusion of biological parameters to gain a clearer picture of the water quality, particularly from the anthropogenic point of view.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation in Biswanath and Sonitpur district of the Central Brahmaputra Plain, India

In recent times, the contamination of groundwater in the north-eastern states of India has become a reason for concern. The lack of appropriate irrigation water management hinders the practice of sustainable agriculture. Hence, it is vital to understand the groundwater quality for the proper planning and management of groundwater resources to ascertain its use for drinking and irrigation purposes. This study was conducted in the districts of Biswanath Chariali and Sonitpur, Assam, India, to evaluate the groundwater quality and its suitability for irrigation and drinking purpose. Fifty-six water samples were collected from various sources across the two districts and analyzed for general physicochemical parameters and heavy metals namely arsenic (As) and iron (Fe). Groundwater suitability was evaluated by comparing the results of the physicochemical analysis with Indian Standards, and the results revealed the mean concentrations of the cations were observed in the order Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+>K+ whereas the anions in the order of HCO3->Cl−>SO42->PO43-. Furthermore, several parameters were considered for assessing the groundwater suitability for irrigation namely sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), permeability index (PI), and Kelly's index (KI). All parameters suggested the water to be suitable for irrigation except for MAR values which implied unsuitability. Moreover, high Fe and As were detected with 95 and 25% of the total, respectively, exceeding the WHO permissible limit for drinking water. The highest concentration of As (0.08 mgL−1) was observed in Tewaripal, Biswanath Chariali, and Fe (32.20 mgL−1) in Gereki, Biswanath Chariali. Gibbs plot discerned the aquifers' underlying hydrogeochemical processes such as silicate, carbonate, ion exchange, and reverse ion exchange processes predominated the region. A significant positive correlation was observed between As and PO43- which may indicate a common source of origin for both and maybe pinpoint the contribution of anthropogenic activities toward As enrichment. Overall, the study revealed that although the groundwater is apt for irrigation in regard to SAR, Na%, MAR, PI, and KI, however, As and Fe concentrations suggest otherwise. The outcome of the study may be helpful to the farmers, and policymakers in planning and management of the groundwater resources.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality: a case study of Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State

Abstract This study was carried out to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes by interpreting the hydrochemical species of groundwater samples. Six water samples were collected and assess to determine the concentration of some ions, pollution load index (PLI), contamination factor (CF), water quality index (WQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), magnesium hazard (MH), Kelly ratio (KR) and percentage sodium (%Na). The result revealed that most of the ions have concentrations within the WHO permissible limit for drinking water except biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and , which exceeded the WHO standard in some samples. The mean abundance of the cations is , while that of the anions is . The result reveals that and are the most abundant cation and anion respectively. CF reveals a low concentration (<1) of , , , , and high concentration (>1) of . The values of PLI were very low indicating no pollution. The WQI reveals the samples with excellent (<50) rating, while those above 100 (>100) were rated as poor. The SAR, MH, KR and %Na reveal the groundwater status for irrigation based on the ratings of the indices.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation in the coastal part of Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India

A study was undertaken to identify in the irrigational suitability of groundwater in the cuddalore district (coastal part), Tamil Nadu, India. An entire study, 132 shallow and deep groundwater samples was gathered during Pre monsoon period (PRM) year of 2017 and post monsoon (POM) period samples collected year of 2018. Rock water interaction, silicate weathering and domestic waste are dominant sources for the water quality in the study area. The groundwater classification and irrigational suitability of groundwater were performed for both seasons. From the results of Chloro-Alkaline Indices (CAI I), and Chloro-Alkaline Indices (CAI II), during both seasons and classes, the direct ions exchange processes are predominant when compare with reverse ions exchange processes. The r1 and r2 results represents that most of the samples found as saline sources as Na+ - SO42− facies and performing with Deep Meteoric Percolation (DMP) than shallow meteoric percolation During PRM season, r1 represents 65 (98%) samples for Na+ - SO42− facies and 1 (2%) sample represents Na+ - HCO3− facies and during POM season, r1 represents 63 (95%) samples for Na+ - SO42− facies and 3 (5%) samples represent Na+ - HCO3− facies respectively. Irrigation water quality parameters like and satisfied the analysed water's irrigation suitability. However, according to MAR parameters, 5% of water samples were unsuitable for irrigation in PRM based on KR parameters, 41% of samples collected in the PRM season only were unsuitable for irrigation. The Wilcox diagram showed that 35% of water samples are suitable for irrigation. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Permeability Index (PI), Potential Salinity (PS), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are indicating the irrigational appropriateness of the groundwater samples, which is more suitable in post monsoon season compare to pre monsoon due to enrichment of Na+ by seawater intrusion and other processes. During POM season, the most number of groundwater samples are representing excellent to good categories might be due to an effective rainfall recharge by the monsoonal rain in the study area. The parameters indicated the introduction of geogenic and anthropogenic pollutions. The coastal community's knowledge is crucial to the long conservation of coastal water resources.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in western Coimbatore, South India

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in western Coimbatore, South India

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality and associated potential human health risk in Bhadohi environs, India

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality and associated potential human health risk in Bhadohi environs, India

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Irrigation and Domestic Purposes in Rural Areas, North of Baiji City-Iraq

Background: The present study was conducted to highlight the importance of environmental pollution and its negative impacts on aquatic, plants and animals lives, especially in industrial areas.
 Objective: This research involved studying the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater and assessing its quality for irrigation and domestic purposes using quality parameters. In this study, 33 groundwater samples were collected from wells during May 2013 and were analyzed for major ions and TDS.
 Results: The hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater were identified using the Gibbs model and Chloro – alkaline indices. The results of the Gibbs graph suggest that groundwater chemistry is controlled by evaporation factors. It was found that the values of chloro – alkaline indices were positive, indicating ionic exchange between Na+ in groundwater with Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the aquifer material.
 Conclusion: The current study of corrosivity ratio showed that groundwater wells are unsuitable for domestic uses.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for few habitations of Chandel District, Manipur (India)

A preliminary hydrogeochemical investigation of groundwater quality for spatially distributed habitations of Chandel district of Manipur was carried out with an objective to assess the suitability of groundwater for different anthropogenic uses. Altogether, eighteen (18) physico-chemical parameters including in situ parameters and major ions were analysed for classification and hydrogeochemical characterisation of groundwater resources of the study area. Some of the anions such as Cl− and SO42− were found in exceeding concentrations. Similarly, 23.1% samples exceed fluoride (F−) concentration beyond the permissible limit of 1.5 mg/l. The water quality index of the groundwater samples of the habitations was found to be influenced by the elevated concentrations of water quality parameters such as F−, EC, TDS, salinity, Cl− and SO42−. The geochemical analysis reveals that the majority of geochemical facies of the groundwater samples are dominated by Na+–Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl−–HCO3−–SO42− type of water resulting from rock-weathering geochemical process. Bivariate and multivariate analysis indicates the influences of hydrogeochemical interactions in the aquifer on the overall water quality. The irrigational water quality indices demonstrate that the water qualities of most of the sources are within the acceptable range except for few samples with high salinity and alkali hazards.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality in greenhouse intensive agricultural areas in coastal zone of Tunisia: Case of Teboulba region

The intensive greenhouse crop production in coastal zone of Tunisia as Monastir and especially Teboulba area has increased the demand on groundwater resources for irrigation. Groundwater, which represents one of the major water resources, is vulnerable to quality degradation due to over exploitation for agricultural activities and increase of anthropogenic activities. The study has been carried out to assess the evolution of hydrochemical properties of Monastir aquifers. Water samples, collected from forty-six origins between February 2016 and March 2017, were analyzed for physicochemical parameters. The results indicate high salinity and high concentration of nutrient and metals trace elements in Teboulba groundwater. Results also indicate that some elements as Cadmium and nitrate concentrations are above the Tunisian recommended irrigation water limits but remain below FAO limits. The results of the study suggest that greenhouse intensive agricultural activities, including excessive fertilization and irrigation are among processes regulating the nutrient chemistry in the groundwater of this region. Assessment of groundwater chemical composition showed a seasonal variability given that groundwater is undergoing an important mineralization process and is not suitable for irrigation under ordinary conditions. The seasonal evolution of geochemical facies is controlled by complex processes (natural and/or anthropogenic activities). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicates that physicochemical variations are regulated by the combination of different processes: natural geochemical; agricultural and industrial activities. Result from Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicates a spatial variability of hydrochemical characteristics of Teboulba groundwater.

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Mokopane Area, Limpopo, South Africa Using Statistical Approach

Despite being a finite resource, both the quality and quantity of groundwater are under tremendous pressure due to rapid global changes, viz. population growth, land-use/land-cover changes (LULC), and climate change. The 6th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. One of the most significant dimensions of the SDG agenda is the emphasis on data and governance. However, the lack of good governance coupled with good observed data cannot ensure the achievement of SDG6. Therefore, this study strives to evaluate water quality status and hydrochemical processes governing it in the data-scarce Mokopane area of South Africa. Groundwater is the main source of fresh water supply for domestic usage, intensive agriculture, and mining activities in Mokopane. In this study, hydrogeochemical analysis of groundwater samples was employed to calculate the water quality index (WQI) and evaluate factors governing water quality evolution in the study area. Statistical and spatial analysis techniques were carried out to divide sampling sites into clusters and delineate principal factors responsible for determining water quality of the sampled groundwater. Results suggest that most of the physico-chemical parameters are within permissible limits for drinking water set by the World Health Organization (WHO), except for high fluoride in some samples. Na-HCO3 is the most abundant water type followed by Mg-HCO3, which indicates dominance of Na+, Mg2+, and HCO3±. Rock-water interaction is the prime factor responsible for fluoride enrichment in water. The alkaline nature of groundwater favors the release of exchangeable F− from minerals like muscovite. The WQI suggests that 80% of water samples fall into the good and excellent categories. Poor management of untreated domestic sewage and agricultural runoff is a main factor for the bad/very bad categories of water samples. As the area lacks any credible scientific/government work to report water quality and its management aspects, the findings of this study will definitely help both scientific communities and policy makers to do what is needed for sustainable water resource management in a timely manner.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality in parts of the Hindon River basin, Ghaziabad, India: implications for domestic and irrigation purposes

The present study confers the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality assessment for drinking and irrigational purposes. Most of the population depends on groundwater for their daily needs especially for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. For this reason, total seventy-two groundwater samples have been collected from different parts of Ghaziabad district for the pre- and post-monsoon in the year 2016 and analyzed for water quality parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, bicarbonate (HCO3−), carbonate (CO32−), chloride (Cl−), sulphate (SO42−), fluoride (F−), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+). Results show that the water samples of the study area are generally hard to very hard and slightly acidic to alkaline in nature. Results also suggest that chloride (Cl−) ions dominate over SO42− ions, whereas HCO3− ions dominate over Cl− and SO42− in the studied groundwater samples during the pre- and post-monsoon periods. The Piper trilinear diagram of groundwater shows that dominant facies is Na+–HCO3− type in both the monsoon periods. The nitrate concentration in the groundwater samples varies from 22 to 293 mg/l in the pre-monsoon, of which 83% of groundwater samples are not recommended for drinking with reference to the concentration of nitrate. Base-exchange indices classified 89% and 11% of the water sources as the Na-HCO3 type and Na-SO4 during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. According to the meteoric genesis indices, 89% and 11% of the water sources as shallow meteoric water percolation and deep meteoric water percolation type during the pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. Furthermore, most of the groundwater samples are found mainly influenced by rock dominance according to Gibbs diagram plots.

Hydro-Geochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is an arid country with very limited water resources. The absence of surface water bodies along with erratic rainfall renders groundwater as the most reliable source of potable water in arid and semi-arid regions globally. Groundwater quality is determined by aquifer characteristics regional geology and it is extensively influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities. In the recent past, several methodologies have been adopted to analyze the quality of groundwater and associated hydro-geochemical process i.e., multivariate statistical analysis, geochemical modelling, stable isotopes, a redox indicator, structural equation modelling. In the current study, statistical methods combined with geochemical modelling and conventional plots have been used to investigate groundwater and related geochemical processes in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 62 groundwater samples has been collected and analyzed in laboratory for major cations and anions. Groundwater in the study region is mostly alkaline with electrical conductivity ranging from 285–3796 μS/cm. The hydro-geochemical characteristics of groundwater are highly influenced by extreme evaporation. Climatic conditions combined with low rainfall and high temperature have resulted in a highly alkaline aquifer environment. Principal component analysis (PCA) yielded principal components explaining 79.9% of the variance in the dataset. PCA indicates ion exchange, soil mineralization, dissolution of carbonates and halite are the major processes governing the groundwater geochemistry. Groundwater in this region is oversaturated with calcite and dolomite while undersaturated with gypsum and halite which suggests dissolution of gypsum and halite as major process resulting into high chloride in groundwater. The study concludes that the combined approach of a multivariate statistical technique, conventional plots and geochemical modelling is effective in determining the factors controlling the groundwater quality.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality in the Soutpansberg Basin around Tshikondeni, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of anthropogenic and natural sources of contamination on the groundwater quality of the unconfined aquifer system of the Soutpansberg Basin around Tshikondeni. Fifteen groundwater samples were collected and analysed for physical and chemical parameters. Groundwater samples were analysed for pH, EC, TDS, major cations (Na + , Ca +2 , K + , and Mg +2 ), major anions (Cl − , SO 4 −2 , NO 3− , CO 3− and HCO 3− ). Groundwater in this area was found to be above the desirable Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for domestic and irrigation purposes. After the physicochemical analysis of groundwater, samples shows that, the type of water that predominates in the study area is Na + -K + -Ca +2 -Mg +2 type during the summer of the year 2008, based on hydro-chemical facies. Interpretation of hydro-geochemical data suggests that leaching of ions followed by weathering and anthropogenic impact (mainly mining and agricultural activities) control the chemistry of groundwater in the study area. Groundwater suitability for drinking purpose was also evaluated by the synthetic pollution index (SPI), it suggested that most of the samples fall in seriously polluted categories. The calculated values of SAR, Na%, RSC, PI, and MH have shown that except at few locations, most of groundwater samples are not suitable for agricultural and domestic purposes.

English

The large demand for drinking water in the Baya watershed (6324 km2), located in East of Côte d’Ivoire is supplied from groundwater sources. This study investigated the specifics hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality in the Baya’s watershed by using statistical methods with graphical and self-organizing maps (SOM) neural network methods. It was carried out to identify the hydrogeochemical processes related to groundwater quality, conduct a hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer systems and delineate the various factors controlling the water chemistry and general suitability for drinking purposes. To reach these goals, groundwater was sampled from 150 locations. Results indicated that the groundwater sampled is generally acid due to the acid character of the enclosing rocks (SiO2 > 60), with an average pH of 6.54 ± 0.33 and an average electrical conductivity of 420.15 ± 248.15 μS/cm. they are moderately mineralized to the gaze of World Heath Organization (WHO) guidelines, with calc-magnesium hydrogen carbonate facies (84%) and calc-magnesium sulphate chlorinated facies. Major ions at the origin of mineralization of groundwater are produced by rock weathering, hydrolysis of silicate minerals. The NO3-, Cl- and SO42- ions are derived from a human pollution due to human activities. Water boreholes located along the major rivers and the watershed outlet are highly mineralized but also proned to anthropogenic pollution. As for the locations of the north and southeast of the Baya’s watershed, there are high levels of iron and manganese, which explains the reddish appearance of these waters. Key words: Hydrogeochemistry, mineralization, fractured Aquifer, self-organizing map (SOM), watershed of Baya.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality during dry and rainy seasons for the two main aquifers in Hanoi, Vietnam

Groundwater from the Holocene unconfined aquifer (HUA) and Pleistocene confined aquifer (PCA) is the major source of drinking and domestic water in Hanoi, Vietnam. A clear understanding of the groundwater hydrogeochemical properties, particularly their changes during the dry and rainy seasons, is invaluable for the management and protection of this important water resource. In this study, the changes in the hydrogeochemical properties of groundwater during the dry and rainy seasons were investigated by analyzing the major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3 −, SO4 2−, Cl−) that were recently obtained in 2011 from 13 conjunctive sampling wells for HUA and PCA in Hanoi. The hydrogeochemical assessment was carried out using the Piper and Gibbs diagrams. Based on the results, at least 30 % of the sampling wells in both aquifers exhibited changes in the hydrogeochemical facies during the dry and rainy seasons. Most of the changes occurred for the cation-type facies, while the anion type remained unchanged. Moreover, the hydrogeochemical facies of HUA was found to be different from that of PCA by approximately 50 % of the sampling wells for both the dry and rainy seasons. In addition, the Gibbs diagram showed apparent differences in the weight ratios Cl/(Cl + HCO3) between PCA and HUA. The results revealed that rock weathering is the main process involved in the evolution of chemical composition of groundwater, but agricultural activities and salty paleowater are the other important factors that affect the groundwater chemistry in some parts of the study area.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality along the coastal aquifers of southern Tamil Nadu, India

Hydrogeochemical investigation of groundwater has been carried out in the coastal aquifers of southern Tamil Nadu, India. Seventy-nine dug well samples were collected and analyzed for various physicochemical parameters. The result of the geochemical analysis indicates the groundwater in the study area is slightly alkaline with moderate saline water. The cation and anion concentrations confirm most of the groundwater samples belong to the order of Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ and Cl− > SO4 2− > HCO3 −. Thereby three major hydrochemical facies (Ca–Cl, mixed Ca–Mg–Cl and Na–Cl) were identified. Based on the US Salinity diagram, majority of the samples fall under medium to very high salinity with low to high sodium hazard. The cross plot of Ca2+ + Mg2+ versus chloride shows 61 % of the samples fall under saline water category. Higher EC, TDS and Cl concentrations were observed from Tiruchendur to Koodankulam coastal zone. It indicates that these regions are significantly affected by saltwater contamination due to seawater intrusion, saltpan deposits, and beach placer mining activities.

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Bundelkhand, India Using Statistical Approach

Hydrochemical study of groundwater is useful for determining its suitability for drinking, industrial, and agri- cultural purposes. In this study, chemical analysis of the groundwater and soil samples has been carried out in Bun- delkhand region, where The Government of India is plan- ning to link Ken and Betwa Rivers through a man-made canal. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of groundwa- ter quality parameters produced five significant components, explaining the 71.04 % cumulative variance. The chemical composition of the groundwater and soil enables the hydro- chemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, and the factors controlling ground- water quality. The results show that the major geochemi- cal processes occurring in the region are weathering, ion- exchange, oxidation-reduction, and dissolution. The hydro- chemistry of the groundwater of this region seems to be in- fluenced by local anthropogenic activities as the concentra- tions of fluoride and nitrate were observed to be high at some places. It is expected that with this project development, habitat loss, change in downstream morphology, change in downstream water quality (because of the disturbance in the current surface water budget in both of the rivers and its sur- rounding areas) etc. will be some of the consequences.