Majority Of Groundwater Samples Research Articles

Spatial variability of groundwater quality of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district (Bihar, India)

This paper examines the quality of groundwater of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district of Bihar state, which lies on the southern region of Indo-Gangetic plains in India. Fifty-nine samples from different sources of water in the block have been collected to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes. From the samples electrical conductivity (EC), pH and concentrations of Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), carbonate ion (CO32−), Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-), Chloride ion (Cl−), and Fluoride (F−) were determined. Surface maps of all the groundwater quality parameters have been prepared using radial basis function (RBF) method. RBF model was used to interpolate data points in a group of multi-dimensional space. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is employed to scrutinize the best fit of the model to compare the obtained value. The mean value of pH, EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, and F− are found to be 7.26, 0.69, 38.98, 34.20, 16.92, 1.19, 0.02, and 0.28, respectively. Distribution of calcium concentration is increasing to the eastern part and K+ concentrations raise to the downstream area in the southwestern part. Low pH concentrations (less than 6.71) occur in eastern part of the block. Spatial variations of hardness in Sabour block portraying maximum concentration in the western part and maximum SAR (more than 4.23) were recorded in the southern part. These results are not exceeding for drinking and irrigation uses recommended by World Health Organization. Therefore, the majority of groundwater samples are found to be safe for drinking and irrigation management practices.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Agricultural Purposes in Lower Part of Noyyal Sub-Basin, Cauvery River, Tamil Nadu, India

The present study is an attempt to analyze the suitability of groundwater for irrigation representing from a total area of 1493.98 km2 in lower part of Noyyal sub-basin, Cauvery River, Tamil Nadu and India. The 111 groundwater samples were collected during post monsoon (Nov) 2015 and were analyzed for major cations and anions. The various physio-chemical characteristics includes pH, EC, TDS, Alkalinity, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe2+, NH3, NO3−, Cl−, F−and SO42-were analyzed. As per the U.S. Salinity diagram, 77.48% majority of groundwater samples belongs to C3–S1 (High Salinity – Low SAR), For medium to high permeability soil, this type of groundwater should be utilized. In the present study, it is clear that high range of salinity in groundwater persists at majority of sites. Hence, for higher value to very high value of salinity in water, soil must be permeable with adequate drainage facilities for satisfactory crop growth. The Wilcox classification has shown 22.52% of groundwater under Unsuitable” zone. 72.97% of samples are classified as Excellent to Good‘, 4.50% of samples are Doubtful to Unsuitable‘ for irrigational purposes. The 48.65% of the groundwater samples fall in Class – I. It indicates that groundwater is good for irrigation purposes in the post-monsoon season. 20.72% of the samples fall under class – III. The classification of Donnen’s Permeability indicates that it is not suitable for agricultural purposes, and it should be treated properly before utilized for irrigation.

Source and distribution of naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater from Alberta’s Southern Oil Sands Regions

Arsenic (As) concentrations as high as 179μg/L have been observed in shallow groundwater in the Alberta’s Southern Oil Sand Regions. The geology of this area of Alberta includes a thick cover (up to 200m) of unconsolidated glacial deposits, with a number of regional interglacial sand and gravel aquifers, underlain by marine shale. Arsenic concentrations observed in 216 unconsolidated sediment samples ranged from 1 and 17ppm. A survey of over 800 water wells sampled for As in the area found that 50% of the wells contained As concentrations exceeding drinking water guidelines of 10μg/L. Higher As concentrations in groundwater were associated with reducing conditions. Measurements of As speciation from 175 groundwater samples indicate that As(III) was the dominant species in 74% of the wells. Speciation model calculations showed that the majority of groundwater samples were undersaturated with respect to ferrihydrite, suggesting that reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides may be the source of some As in groundwater. Detailed mineralogical characterization of sediment samples collected from two formations revealed the presence of fresh framboidal pyrite in the deeper unoxidized sediments. Electron microprobe analysis employing wavelength dispersive spectrometry indicated that the framboidal pyrite had variable As content with an average As concentration of 530ppm, reaching up to 1840ppm. In contrast, the oxidized sediments did not contain framboidal pyrite, but exhibited spheroidal Fe-oxyhydroxide grains with elevated As concentrations. The habit and composition suggest that these Fe-oxyhydroxide grains in the oxidized sediment were an alteration product of former framboidal pyrite grains. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) indicated that the oxidized sediments are dominated by As(V) species having spectral features similar to those of goethite or ferrihydrite with adsorbed As, suggesting that Fe-oxyhydroxides are the dominant As carriers. XANES spectra collected on unoxidized sediment samples, in contrast, indicated the presence of a reduced As species (As(−I)) characteristic of arsenopyrite and arsenian pyrite. The results of the mineralogical analyses indicate that the oxidation of framboidal pyrite during weathering may be the source of As released to shallow aquifers in this region.

Influence of hydrogeochemical processes and assessment of suitability for groundwater uses in Busan City, Korea

This study was carried out to understand the hydrogeochemical processes of groundwater quality and groundwater use in the Suyeong District of Busan city, Korea. Groundwater samples were collected from 40 wells in February, 2010. The abundance of major cations concentration in groundwater is Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+> K+, while that of anions is Cl− > HCO3− > SO42− > NO3− > F−. According to hydrogeochemical facies, Ca (HCO3)2, Ca Cl2 and NaCl are the dominant groundwater types in this study area. Mechanism controlling the water chemistry (Gibbs) indicates that most of groundwater samples fall at rock-weathering dominance zone. The geochemical processes and temporal variation in groundwater in this area are influenced by evaporation processes, ion exchange and dissolution of minerals. According to water quality index (WQI) of the study area exhibits 8 % of the groundwater samples fall at the unsuitable zone for drinking purpose. The spatial distribution map of WQI shows the poor quality of the water decrease toward the southern part of the study area. The results of SAR, Na%, PI, RSC and MH show that majority of groundwater samples are suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. By the hydrogeochemical analysis, aquifer rock weathering, seawater intrusion, sewer leakage are the dominant factors that determine the major ionic composition. The proper management plan is necessary to preserve valuable groundwater resources.

Use of isotopic tracers to characterize the interaction of water components and nitrate contamination in the arid Rasafeh area (Syria)

Chemical and isotopic data in atmospheric precipitation, surface water, and groundwater in arid Rasafeh area, northeast Syria, are used to clarify the status of groundwater quality, the interaction of water components, groundwater dating, and vulnerability to anthropogenic contamination. Interpretation of chemical data with thermodynamic calculation reveals that the dissolution of evaporate mineral is the main factor of high salinity. The δ18O and δ2H relationships indicate that the groundwater is fed by mixing water from Euphrates River and precipitation and the isotope balance equation were used to estimate the contribution of the Euphrates River to the aquifers recharge. High tritium content, together with high 14C activity in the majority of groundwater samples, indicate shorter residence times and consequently potentially greater recharge. The presence of high nitrate concentration associated with high tritium concentration in both shallow and deep aquifer units indicates the presence of high permeability, so that groundwater is highly susceptible to anthropogenic contamination. Nitrate seems to derive exclusively from the application of N fertilizers. The high nitrate values are characteristic of the areas with intensive agricultural activity, indicating the importance of irrigated return flow on the groundwater.

Geochemistry and quality of groundwater of Gummanampadu sub-basin, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Groundwater survey has been carried out in the area of Gummanampadu sub-basin located in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India for assessing the factors that are responsible for changing of groundwater chemistry and consequent deterioration of groundwater quality, where the groundwater is a prime source for drinking and irrigation due to non-availability of surface water in time. The area is underlain by the Archaean Gneissic Complex, over which the Proterozoic Cumbhum rocks occur. The results of the plotting of Ca2+ + Mg2+ versus HCO3− + CO32−, Ca2+ + Mg2+ versus total cations, Na+ + K+ versus total cations, Cl− + SO42− versus Na+ + K+, Na+ versus Cl−, Na+ versus HCO3− + CO32−, Na+ versus Ca2+ and Na+: Cl− versus EC indicate that the rock–water interaction under alkaline condition is the main mechanism in activating mineral dissociation and dissolution, causing the release of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, CO32−, SO42− and F− ions into the groundwater. The ionic relations also suggest that the higher concentrations of Na+ and Cl− ions are the results of ion exchange and evaporation. The influences of anthropogenic sources are the other cause for increasing of Mg2+, Na+, Cl−, SO42− and NO3− ions. Further, the excess alkaline condition in water accelerates more effective dissolution of F−-bearing minerals. Moreover, the chemical data plotted in the Piper’s, Gibbs’s and Langelier–Ludwig’s diagrams, computed for the chloro-alkaline and saturation indices, and analyzed in the principal component analysis, support the above hypothesis. The groundwater quality is, thus, characterized by Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+: HCO3− + CO32− > Cl− > SO42− > NO3− > F− facies. On the other hand, majority of groundwater samples are not suitable for drinking with reference to the concentrations of TDS, TH, Mg2+ and F−, while those are not good for irrigation with respect to USSL’s and Wilcox’s diagrams, residual sodium carbonate, and magnesium hazard, but they are safe for irrigation with respect to permeability index. Thus, the study recommends suitable management measures to improve health conditions as well as to increase agricultural output.

Groundwater quality assessment in the village of Lutfullapur Nawada, Loni, District Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

The groundwater quality for drinking, domestic and irrigation in the village Lutfullapur Nawada, Loni, district Ghaziabad, U.P., India, has been assessed. Groundwater samples were collected, processed and analyzed for temperature, pH, conductivity, salinity, total alkalinity, carbonate alkalinity, bicarbonate alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, nitrate-nitrogen, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, phosphate, silica, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, total chromium, cadmium, copper, iron, nickel, lead and zinc. A number of groundwater samples showed levels of electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, chloride, calcium, sodium, potassium and iron exceeding their permissible limits. Except iron, the other metals (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed below the permissible limits. The correlation matrices for 28 variables were performed. EC, salinity, TS and TDS had significant positive correlations among themselves and also with NO (3) (-) , Cl(-), alkalinity, Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+). Fluoride was not significantly correlated with any of the parameters. NO (3) (-) was significantly positively correlated with Cl(-), alkalinity, Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+). Chloride also correlated significantly with alkalinity, Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+). Sodium showed a strong and positive correlation with K(+) and Ca(2+). pH was negatively correlated with most of the physicochemical parameters. This groundwater is classified as a normal sulfate and chloride type. Base-exchange indices classified 73% of the groundwater sources as the Na(+)-SO (4) (2-) type. The meteoric genesis indices demonstrated that 67% of groundwater sources belong to a deep meteoric water percolation type. Hydrochemical groundwater evaluations revealed that most of the groundwaters belong to the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-)-SO (4) (2-) type followed by Na(+)-K(+)-HCO (3) (-) type. Salinity, chlorinity and SAR indices indicated that majority of groundwater samples can be considered suitable for irrigation purposes.

Evaluation of hydrogeochemical parameters and quality assessment of the groundwater in Kottur blocks, Tiruvarur district, Tamilnadu, India

A study was conducted to evaluate the water quality of Kottur block, Thiruvarur district, Tamilnadu. Groundwater samples from hand pumps and tube wells of 16 stations were analyzed during postmonsoon and premonsoon (2008) with the help of standard methods of APHA (1995). Dominance of cations are in the following order Na>Ca>K>Mg and Cl>SO4>HCO3>NO3 by anions in both the seasons. The analytical results shows higher concentration of total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, sodium, chloride, and sulfate which indicate signs of deterioration but values of pH, calcium, magnesium, and nitrate are within permissible limit as per World Health Organization standards. From the Piper trilinear diagram, it is observed that the majority of groundwater samples are Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-SO4 facies clearly indicates seawater incursion. In Wilcox diagram, most of the samples fall in low to very high sodium hazard and low to very high salinity hazard indicates moderately suitable for agricultural activities. Kelly’s ratio and magnesium ratio indicates most of the samples fall in suitable for irrigation purpose.

Sulphur cycling in the drinking water catchment area of Torgau–Mockritz (Germany): insights from hydrochemical and stable isotope investigations

AbstractThe hydrochemical composition of groundwater and the isotopic composition of sulphur compounds in sediments (δ34S of sulphide, inorganic sulphate) and groundwater (δ34S, δ18O of dissolved sulphate) have been investigated to reveal the reasons for elevated concentrations of dissolved groundwater sulphate in the drinking water catchment area of Torgau–Mockritz (Germany).The three most important anthropogenic sources of sulphate identified in this study are historic atmospheric sulphate deposition, predominantly of anthropogenic origin, inorganic fertilization, and dissolution of gypsum from waste dumps. Owing to their overlapping isotopic range, no clear differentiation between the individual anthropogenic sources is possible. Sulphate from the oxidation of sedimentary sulphides, however, was recognized by its negative sulphur isotope signature (δ34S < − 5‰).The mobilization of sulphate from different soil sulphur species is closely connected with variable isotopic fractionations, resulting in a wide isotopic variation range for the sulphate entering the saturated zone. Generally, sulphur and oxygen isotope ratios of the dissolved groundwater sulphate range from −19 to +37‰ (Vienna Cañon Diablo troilite) and from −2 to +19‰ (Vienna standard mean ocean water), respectively. Sulphate from the majority of groundwater samples can be assigned to anthropogenic sources. Sulphate from sulphide oxidation is especially present in samples from the upper sampling level and the groundwater surface. Sulphate concentrations above 700 mg l−1 are mostly caused by the oxidation of sulphide. Sulphate that occurs in low and moderate concentrations dominantly originates from anthropogenic sources.δ34S distribution patterns were used to locate the sources for the elevated sulphate concentrations in the raw water. It was shown that the sulphate is not mobilized in the immediate vicinity of the production wells. Rather, it originates in an area ∼1·5 km west of the intake. The main mobilization mechanism there is the oxidation of reduced sedimentary sulphur species.Beyond its local significance, this study presents a general example how changes in the sulphur cycle indicate major, anthropogenically induced alterations of the hydrochemical situation in catchment areas. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.