Magnesium Absorption Ratio Research Articles

Investigating the drinking and surface water quality and associated health risks in a semi-arid multi-industrial metropolis (Faisalabad), Pakistan.

Urban areas under the influence of multi-industrial activities with arid and semi-arid environments witness the significant increase in environmental pollution especially in the water sector. The present study evaluated the water quality and associated health risk assessment through heavy metal pollution. Drinking (n = 48) and surface (n = 37) water samples were collected from semi-arid multi-industrial metropolis, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Physio-chemical and biological parameters and different metals (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn) were investigated using standard procedures and multivariate water quality assessments. Many physio-chemical and biological parameters and metals especially arsenic were exceeding the permissible limit of Punjab environmental quality standards and the World Health Organization. The results from water quality index showed that < 56% samples have poor, < 8% have very poor and < 6% have unsuitable water quality for drinking purposes. Water quality for the Gugera Branch Canal was found suitable with medium sodium (alkalinity) and salinity hazards, while it was found poor with magnesium absorption ratio. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for arsenic were found at the threshold level (HQ > 1) and carcinogenicity was found in case of arsenic and chromium (1 × 10-4) in adults and children. Semi-arid weather combined with different anthropogenic activities and unusual water features provoked metal contamination. Results of the present study can deliver basic information for effective management of water in the most populous and industrial areas.

Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking purposes in Barishal district of Bangladesh

A study was conducted to evaluate the quality of groundwater in Barishal district of Bangladesh for both irrigation and drinking purposes. Sixty water samples were collected and analyzed in the Biochemistry laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University for the assessment of their quality based on a number of parameters, namely - total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly’s ratio (KR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), pH and magnesium absorption ratio (MAR), salinity and alkalinity hazard, total cation and anion. Most of the water samples were found as acceptable in terms of TDS, EC, SAR and TH values, but unacceptable based on pH. Though the water samples were demonstrated as ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ water class in terms of SSP and KR, respectively, they were categorized as ‘harmful’ water class in term of MAR. However, in terms of salinity and alkalinity hazard, most of the water samples were found as ‘good water’ class for irrigation. In case of drinking purpose, most of the samples were found as ‘permissible’, ‘good’ and ‘safe’ based on EC, pH, and TDS, respectively. Though the samples were demonstrated as ‘suitable’ and ‘good ’water class in terms of TH and nitrate, respectively, they were classified as ‘unsatisfactory’ based on sulphate. Overall for the groundwater samples, SSP-KR and pH-TH had a very strong correlation with a correlation coefficient around 1, and EC, TH and pH showed a negative correlation with most of the parameters. The study revealed that the quality of groundwater for most of the locations in the area was permissible and good for irrigation and drinking purposes.

GIS-Hydrogeochemical Model of the Yaound&amp;#233; Fractured Rock Aquifer, Cameroon: Aquifer Setting, Seasonal Variations in Groundwater-Rock Interaction and Water Quality

This study of the gneiss-fractured-rock aquifer in Yaoundé capital of Cameroon determines: the aquifer setting-flow systems, the aquifer type, seasonal variations in rock-water interactions, evolution of the hydrogeochemical processes, physicochemical parameters and the suitability for domestic-agro-industrial use of the groundwater. Physicochemical field tests were carried out on 445 wells during four seasons for EC, pH, TDS, Temperature and static water level from July 2016 to May 2017. 90 well samples were analyzed 45 samples per season: wet/dry. 38 borewell logs were used together with structural data to determine the aquifer setting. The field physico-chemical and laboratory analysis data of well samples were mounted unto various GIS software platforms: Global mapper, AqQa, Aquachem, Rockworks, Logplot7, Surfer and ArcGIS, to get indices/parameters/figures, by use of Durov’s, Piper’s and Gibbs diagrams, Water quality index WQI, USSL ratio, Sodium Absorption ratio SAR, Percent sodium %Na, Kelly Ratio KR, Magnesium Absorption Ratio MAR, Total Hardness TH, Residual Sodium Carbonate RSC and Permeability Index PI that were determined. The process of groundwater ions acquisition is three-fold: by recharge through atmospheric precipitation, by ion exchange/simple dissolution between the rock-groundwater and by groundwater mixing in its flow path. Water types are Ca-HCO3, Mg-HCO3 and Mg-Cl while hydrogeochemical facies are Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4. Most water samples are fresh, potable and soft all seasons. The hydrogeological conceptual model is that of a three-layered single phreatic fractured-rock-aquifer while other researchers postulated a two-aquifer, phreatic and semi-confined, two-layered model.

Evaluation of the Process Governing Groundwater Suitability for Irrigation at Oju and its Adjourning Area, Benue State, Nigeria. using Hydrochemical Approach

Groundwater from shallow wells were evaluated for irrigation purpose, within Ukwuoku Hills, Oju local government area of Benue State, Nigeria. The study area lies within Asu River Group of the Lower Benue Trough, southern Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters analyzed include physical parameters such as; pH, total dissolved solid and electrical conductivity and chemical parameters such as; major cation and anion. The above-mentioned parameters were analyzed using America Public Health Association standard method. Results from the study showed that pH falls within slightly basic to acidic, electrical conductivity ranges from 127 to 760I¼S/cm, Soluble Sodium Percentage ranges from 1.53 to 43.78, Sodium Percentage ranges from 1.55 to 77.8 % Kelly Ratio ranges from 0.01 to 0.77, Magnesium Absorption Ratio ranges from 0.00 to 61.98 and total hardness Total Hardness ranges from 72.00 to 425.5 within the study area. The above listed parameters were below various permissible standard value for irrigation except for MAR at OJU/LBT/04, Na% at OJU/LBT/09, 13 and 14, SAR at 01 and 04 and TH at OJU/LBT/04 that were slightly above various permissible standard values. From Gibbs plot it was observed that rock dominance is the major factor that influences groundwater except for few sampling points were precipitation dominance was observed to have influence on groundwater within the study area.

Hydrochemistry and Water Quality Indices of River Ose Water, Southern Nigeria

Background Objective: River Ose has flowing water throughout the year that can serve for irrigation and domestic purposes. This study examined the hydrochemistry, water quality indices and coliform counts of River Ose Water, Nigeria with a view to ascertain its suitability for drinking and irrigation.Materials and Method: For this purpose, 15 water samples were collected along the flowing river channel and subjected to physico-chemical and e-coli determination using standard methods. Water quality index (WQI) and Irrigation parameters (Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Percentage sodium (%Na), Residual sodium bicarbonate (RSBC), Kelly’s ratio (KR), Permeability index (PI) and Magnesium absorption ratio (MAR)) were calculated from the chemical data obtained from the analyses.Results: Results of the analyses revealed that pH (9.7 pH of the water samples were of alkaline nature with all the water samples exceeding approved standard for drinking water. Drinking alkaline water may deactivate pepsin but it could lead to gastrointestinal problems and metabolic alkalosis. Electrical conductivity (µS/cm), Total dissolved solids (mg/L) as well as Total hardness of all analyzed water samples fell in the category of fresh water. HCO3- and Cl- were the dominant anions while Na+ and K+ constitute the dominant cations in the water chemistry. The abundance of major ions revealed Na+&gt; K+ &gt;Mg2+&gt;Ca2+ and HCO3-&gt;Cl-&gt;SO42-&gt;NO3- trend. The dominant hydrogeochemical facies was mixed Ca2+-Na+-HCO3- (93%) with few mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl- (7%) while calculated WQI was 89.44. All samples tested positive to e-coli count ranging from 1.71*101 – 8.100*103.Conclusion: The analyzed physico-chemical parameters in all River Ose water samples were well within approved desirable limits except for the pH. However, the water was not potable as all samples tested positive to e-coli counts. In addition, WQI calculation revealed that the water has very poor drinking quality. Sources of ions in the River were predominantly from rainfall and minor weathering from the bedrocks. Irrigation quality parameters (SAR, %Na, RSBC and KR) indicated that River Ose water was good for irrigation. However, applying the water on salt sensitive plants is not advisable as irrigation evaluation employing PI and MAR showed that the water was not suitable for irrigation.

Precipitation controlled spatial variations in groundwater quality indices-suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes in the basalts of South India

Regional study on the impact of variations in input rainfall over groundwater quality and its suitability for utilitarian purposes is essential for its extraction and management. Water chemistry from 456 observations wells for 2007–2011 period in hard rock Basaltic terrain of Upper Godavari basin is supported with 8 field samples (in 2014) in this analysis. Based on mean annual rainfall (MAR), four narrow climatic zones are identified in the basin, defined as “humid” (MAR > 1600 mm), “sub-humid” (1600–1000 mm), “semi-arid” (1000–600 mm), and “arid” (MAR 600 mg/L) and not acceptable for drinking. Suitability of groundwater for irrigation is studied using sodium percentage (Na %), Wilcox diagram, sodium absorption ratio (SAR), US salinity diagram, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), Kelly’s ratio (KR), ancd magnesium absorption ratio (MgAR). Na % in four zones is 75% (class 1). KR varied from 0.05 to 12.81, with 70–80% of the area having KR < 1. MgAR ratio ranged from 67% to 96%, with sub-humid, humid zones having higher Mg concentrations (increased salinity). Thus, 90% of the samples indicated non-alkaline water with 1% of normal alkalinity. Hence, the current study systematically analyzed the effect of precipitation and geology on groundwater quality and on its usability for various purposes. This stepwise procedure categorized the regions, and the same can be adopted for any regional hydrogeochemical studies.

A diagnosis of groundwater quality from a semiarid region in Rajasthan, India

A diagnosis of the groundwater quality of 70 wells sampled during two climatic regimes (dry and raining seasons) from a semiarid area in Rajasthan, India, had been carried out using standard methods. Analysis of the results for various hydrochemical parameters wherein the geological units are alluvium, quartzite and granite gneisses showed that all the parameters did not fall within the World Health Organisation’s acceptable limits for irrigation and drinking water purposes. The order of major cations and anions obtained during the dry and raining seasons are Na+ ˃ Mg2+ ˃ Ca2+ ˃ K+ and Cl−˃ HCO3 − ˃ SO4 2−˃ CO3 −> F− ˃ NO3 −, respectively. A maximum value of nitrate of 491.6 mg/l has been examined and its contamination is due to discriminated highly impacted groundwater samples by agricultural activity and small-scale urbanization. Fluoride (F−) concentration is 6.50 mg/l as a maximum value, whereas values in about 26 % of the samples are more than the permissible limit (1.5 mg/l) for drinking water. The cumulative probability distributions of the selected ions show two individual intersection points with three diverse segments, considered as regional threshold values and highly impacted threshold values for differentiating the samples with the effects of geogenic, anthropogenic and saline water mixing. The first threshold values indicate the background hydrochemical constituents in the study area. The second threshold value of 732 mg/l for bicarbonate indicates that sandy aquifer is being dissolved during wet period, whereas NO3 − concentration of more than the initial threshold value (=75 mg/l) indicates discriminated highly impacted groundwater samples by agricultural activity and urbanization in dry season. Various parameters such as soluble sodium percentage (SSP), salinity (electrical conductivity (EC)), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Kelley’s ratio (KR), permeability index (PI), residual sodium bicarbonate (RSB) and magnesium absorption ratio (MAR) for the well samples show that, overall, 46 % of groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation. Further, chloro-alkaline indices (CAIs) were used for distinguishing regional recharge and discharge zones whereas corrosivity ratio (CR) utilized for demarcating areas to use metallic pipes for groundwater supply. In general, groundwater quality is mainly controlled by the chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals. The information obtained represents a base for future work that will help to assess the groundwater condition for periodical monitoring and managing the groundwater from further degradation.

Quality of tube well water intended for irrigation and human consumption with special emphasis on arsenic contamination at the area of Punjab, Pakistan.

In the present study, the tube well water quality and the associated health risks, emphasizing on arsenic contamination, were investigated in rural and urban samples from Tehsil Mailsi located in Punjab, Pakistan. Arsenic concentrations (μg/L) were ranged from 12 to 448.5 and which exceeded the WHO recommended limit (10μg/L) in all cases. The calculated average daily dose (3.3×10-0.4 to 1.2×10-0.2mg/kgday) and hazard quotient (1.1-40) reflected the potential health risk to local population due to tube well water consumption as drinking purpose. Sodium percent (Na%), sodium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, Kelly's index and magnesium absorption ratio were also determined to assess the suitability of tube well water for irrigation purpose. The resulting piper plot revealed the Na-Ca-HCO3 type water chemistry of the area and generally alkaline environment. The spatial distribution of arsenic in the tube well waters pinpoints the significant contribution of anthropogenic activities to arsenic pollution. Nevertheless, different statistical tools, including principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and correlation matrices, revealed the contribution of both natural and anthropogenic activities and alkaline type of aquifers toward the high level of arsenic contamination.

Arsenic and heavy metal contaminations in the tube well water of Punjab, Pakistan and risk assessment: A case study

The present study for the first time highlighted the arsenic and heavy metals (HM) concentrations as well as their source of contamination in tube-well water and associated potential health risk to local residents of Tehsil Mailsi (Punjab), Pakistan. 44 samples were collected from Jala Jeem and Dunia Pur. Results revealed average concentrations of anion and heavy metals such as Iron (Fe), (Cadmium) Cd, (Lead) Pb, (Sodium) Na+, (Bicarbonate) HCO3−, (Sulfate) SO42− and Arsenic (As) exceeded the WHO limits in the tube well water. The calculated target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals from local tube well water above 1 was observed for As (36.5) and Cd (6.2), which employed highly potential health risk to local residents. The suitability of water for irrigation is evaluated based on residual sodium carbonate (RSC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly’s index (KI), Sodium percent (%Na) and Magnesium absorption ratio (MAR). Dominant ions in the study area are HCO3−, Ca2+ and Mg2+ and water chemistry of the area is Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3− type. However, different statistical tools, including principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (CA) and correlation matrices revealed the contribution of both natural as well as anthropogenic activities towards the high level of arsenic and heavy metals contamination in the local tube well water. The results show that consumption of heavy metals contaminated groundwater poses an emerging health threat to the populations in the study area, and hence needs urgent remedial and management measures. Continued monitoring of heavy metals levels is recommended for future management strategies.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Kashmir Valley, India

Groundwater samples (n = 163) were collected across Kashmir Valley in 2010 to assess the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater in shallow and deep aquifers and its suitability for domestic, agriculture, horticulture, and livestock purposes. The groundwater is generally alkaline in nature. The electrical conductivity (EC) which is an index to represent the total concentration of soluble salts in water was used to measure the salinity hazard to crops as it reflects the TDS in groundwater ranging from 97 to 1385 μS/cm, except one well in Sopore. The average concentration of major ions was higher in shallow aquifers than in deeper aquifers. In general, Ca2+ is the dominant cation and HCO\(_{3}^{-}\) the dominant anion. Ca–HCO3, Mg–HCO3, Ca–Mg–HCO3, Na–HCO3 were the dominant hydrogeochemical facies. High concentration of HCO3 and pH less than 8.8 clearly indicated that intense chemical weathering processes have taken place in the study area. The groundwater flow pattern in the area follows the local surface topography which not only modifies the hydrogeochemical facies but also controls their distribution. The groundwater in valley flows into four directions, i.e., SW–NE, NE–W, SE-NW and SE–NE directions. The results suggest that carbonate dissolution is the dominant source of major ions followed by silicate weathering and ion-exchange processes. The concentrations of all the major ions determined in the present study are within the permissible limits of WHO and BIS standards. The results of Total Hardness, SAR, Na%, Kelly Index, USDA classification, Magnesium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, and PI suggested that groundwater is good for drinking, livestock, and irrigation purposes.