scholarly journals Hydrogeochemical evolution processes and evaluation of groundwater suitability for domestic and agricultural utility in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Author(s):  
Javed Iqbal ◽  
Chunli Su

Abstract Groundwater is a vital resource for human life and economic growth. In the Khanewal district of Punjab, Pakistan, environmental changes, and anthropogenic activities have made groundwater extremely vulnerable in the past forty years. Sixty-eight groundwater samples were collected from the study area, major ions and trace elements were analyzed. The Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis were used to identify the major factors influencing groundwater quality, as well as to assess its suitability for drinking and irrigation in southern Punjab. The aquifers are slightly acidic to alkaline, according to the pH (6.9–9.2) of groundwater. Significant cations are distributed as follows: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+, while anions are distributed as HCO3− > SO42− > Cl−. The main hydrochemical facies are mixed Na·Ca-HCO3 and Na·Ca (Mg)-HCO3·SO4. Rock weathering processes, such as the dissolution of calcite, dolomite, and gypsum minerals, governed groundwater hydrochemistry. The water quality index (WQI) indicates that 17.64% of the water samples are unsuitable to drink. However, according to the Wilcox diagram, the USSL diagram, and some other agricultural indices, approximately 68% of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation.

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 3589
Author(s):  
Javed Iqbal ◽  
Chunli Su ◽  
Abdur Rashid ◽  
Nan Yang ◽  
Muhammad Yousuf Jat Baloch ◽  
...  

Groundwater is a critical water supply for safe drinking water, agriculture, and industry worldwide. In the Khanewal district of Punjab, Pakistan, groundwater has severely deteriorated during the last few decades due to environmental changes and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, 68 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for their main ions and trace elements to investigate the suitability of groundwater sources for drinking and agricultural purposes. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were employed to determine the major factors influencing groundwater quality. To assess the groundwater’s appropriateness for drinking and irrigation, drinking and agricultural indices were used. The pH of the groundwater samples ranged from 6.9 to 9.2, indicating that the aquifers were slightly acidic to alkaline. The major cations were distributed as follows: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+. Meanwhile, the anions are distributed as follows: HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > F−. The main hydrochemical facies were identified as a mixed type; however, a mixed magnesium, calcium, and chloride pattern was observed. The reverse ion exchange process helps in exchanging Na+ with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the groundwater system. Rock weathering processes, such as the dissolution of calcite, dolomite, and gypsum minerals, dominated the groundwater hydrochemistry. According to the Weight Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI), 50% of the water samples were unsafe for drinking. The Wilcox diagram, USSL diagram, and some other agricultural indices resulted in around 32% of the groundwater samples being unsuitable for irrigation purposes. The Khanewal’s groundwater quality was vulnerable due to geology and the influence of anthropogenic activities. For groundwater sustainability in Khanewal, management strategies and policies are required.


2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 398-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasant Wagh ◽  
Shrikant Mukate ◽  
Aniket Muley ◽  
Ajaykumar Kadam ◽  
Dipak Panaskar ◽  
...  

Abstract The integration of pollution index of groundwater (PIG), multivariate statistical techniques including correlation matrix (CM), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and various ionic plots was applied to elucidate the influence of natural and anthropogenic inputs on groundwater chemistry and quality of the Kadava river basin. A total of 80 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for major ions during pre- and post-monsoon seasons of 2012. Analytical results inferred that Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4 and NO3 surpass the desirable limit (DL) and permissible limit (PL) of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in both the seasons. The elevated content of total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl, SO4, Mg, Na and NO3 is influenced by precipitation and agricultural dominance. PIG results inferred that 52.5 and 35%, 30 and 37.5%, 12.5 and 20%, 2.5 and 5% groundwater samples fall in insignificant, low, moderate and high pollution category (PC) in pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. PC 1 confirms salinity controlled process due to high inputs of TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl and SO4. Also, PC 2 suggests alkalinity influence by pH, CO3, HCO3 and F content. PIG and statistical techniques help to interpret the water quality data in an easier way.


2012 ◽  
Vol 610-613 ◽  
pp. 3067-3074
Author(s):  
Kun Shi ◽  
Dong Sheng Li ◽  
Bi Yun Zhao

1144 sample points were collected using PXRF from an area of 99 square kilometers soil area Zhehai town Huizhe county of Yunnan province to acquire their concentrations and possible sources, and characterize their spatial variability for risk assessment. SPSS16.0 was used to deal the raw date and eliminate the outfits and perform Multivariate analysis (correlation matrix, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis). It discriminate distinct groups of heavy metals. From the Range of the semi-variorum models, it obtained elements spatial structure and the contamination resource caused mainly by natural resource or anthropogenic activities. The result of risk assessment attained the percentage of pollution accounts for whole investigate region, which provides the reference to deal with the soil pollution.


2020 ◽  
pp. 73-89
Author(s):  
Kofoworola Olatunde ◽  
Modupe Sarumi ◽  
Sadiq Abdulsalaam ◽  
Babatunde Bada ◽  
Funmilola Oyebanji

Groundwater forms a very important part of the water supply chain and its quality can be affected by improperly constructed septic tanks used by homeowners in peri-urban locations such as Abeokuta in recent times. Sixty groundwater samples collected from hand-dug wells ≤15m from septic tanks were analysed for physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard procedures. Results were integrated with multivariate and hydrogeochemical analyses to assess the effect improperly built septic tanks have on groundwater quality around the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The range of values for the measured parameters include: pH (6.26 – 8.66), EC (83 – 1035 μS cm-1), TDS (42 – 621 mg L-1), Mg2+ (2 – 60 mg L-1), NO3- (5.09 – 17 mg L-1), Fe (-.04 – 5.32 mg L-1), BOD (0.1 – 13.2) and E. Coli (ND – 41×10 cfu mL-1). The abundance of major ions are in the order Ca2+˃Mg2+˃K+˃ Na+ and Cl- ˃SO42- >HCO3- >NO3- ˃PO42-. The piper trilinear plot shows that the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area is the Ca2+–Cl- type. A correlation analysis and a principal component analysis both reflect intrusions from biological wastes such as surrounding septic tanks or municipal waste disposals as well as dissolutions from basal rocks. The possibility of infiltration from sewage into groundwater is confirmed by the number of samples with high BOD, NO3-, and E. coli concentrations. Contamination of groundwater with sewage exposes the populace to acute excreta-related illness. This therefore calls for stringent monitoring and management measures to be put in place by relevant regulatory authorities to safeguard the human health and environment within the study area.


Geologos ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Daniel Okupny ◽  
Seweryn Rzepecki ◽  
Ryszard Krzysztof Borówka ◽  
Jacek Forysiak ◽  
Juliusz Twardy ◽  
...  

Abstract The present paper discusses the influence of geochemical properties on biogenic deposits in the Wilkostowo mire near Toruń, central Poland. The analysed core has allowed the documentation of environmental changes between the older part of the Atlantic Period and the present day (probably interrupted at the turn of the Meso- and Neoholocene). In order to reconstruct the main stages in the sedimentation of biogenic deposits, we have used stratigraphic variability of selected litho-geochemical elements (organic matter, calcium carbonate, biogenic and terrigenous silica, macro- and micro-elements: Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Ni). The main litho-geochemical component is CaCO3; its content ranges from 4.1 per cent to 92 per cent. The variability of CaCO3 content reflects mainly changes in hydrological and geomorphological conditions within the catchment area. The effects of prehistoric anthropogenic activities in the catchment of the River Tążyna, e.g., the use of saline water for economic purposes, are recorded in a change from calcareous gyttja into detritus-calcareous gyttja sedimentation and an increased content of lithophilous elements (Na, K, Mg and Ni) in the sediments. Principal component analysis (PCA) has enabled the distinction the most important factors that affected the chemical composition of sediments at the Wilkostowo site, i.e., mechanical and chemical denudation processes in the catchment, changes in redox conditions, bioaccumulation of selected elements and human activity. Sediments of the Wilkostowo mire are located in the direct vicinity of an archaeological site, where traces of intensive settlement dating back to the Neolithic have been documented. The settlement phase is recorded both in lithology and geochemical properties of biogenic deposits which fill the reservoir formed at the bottom of the Parchania Canal Valley.


2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-126
Author(s):  
Abdul-Rahman Dirisu ◽  
John Ovie Olomukoro ◽  
Ifeanyi Maxwell Ezenwa

AbstractThis study assessed the physico-chemical status of sediments in the Agbede Wetlands with the aim to create a reference archive for the Edo North catchment and to further identify the characteristics mostly influenced by the natural and anthropogenic activities going on at the watershed. Nutrients, zinc, nickel and lead were identified to be mostly of anthropogenic origin, while alkali metals and alkaline earth metals were from both anthropogenic and natural sources. The clustering of stations 1 and 4 indicates that the sediment quality in the lentic systems was not completely excluded from the lotic system, suggesting that principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) techniques are invaluable tools for identifying factors influencing the sediment quality. The mean values of the particle size distribution were in the following order across the ecosystems: sand (61.86–80.53%) > silt (9.75–30.34%) > clay (7.83–13.89%). The contamination of the water bodies was primarily derived from agricultural run-offs and through geochemical weathering of the top soils. Therefore, our analysis indicates that the concentrations of cations, anions and nutrients in the sediments of the lotic and lentic ecosystems in Agbede Wetlands are not at an alarming level.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Zita Tabosa Pinheiro de Queiroz Lima Lucio ◽  
Simone Setúbal dos Santos ◽  
Daniela Mariano Lopes da Silva

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the spatial-temporal changes of chemical elements in the surface waters of the Cachoeira River in order to evaluate the impacts of anthropogenic activities in water quality; METHODS: Samples were collected monthly between August 2008 and August 2009 at six collection points along the river. The abiotic parameters dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity and temperature were performed in the field using portable digital meters; concentration of ions nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonia (NH4+), phosphate (PO4-), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca+2), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), magnesium (Mg+2), sulfate (SO4-2) were determined by ion chromatography and bicarbonate (HCO3-) was calculated by a model of ionic associations originated from alkalinity values; RESULTS: The spatial variations showed that anthropogenic activities and land use changes (cocoa crops and pasture) appear to be the major factors influencing the distribution of nutrients in the Cachoeira River; however, lithology seems to be the factor influencing the major ions; CONCLUSIONS: Variations in ion concentrations were directly related to drought and rainy periods, the geological formation, and the various land uses. The lack of treatment of domestic wastes and their incorrect disposal in water bodies has significantly contributed to the aggravation of environmental problems and consequently the health of the population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 2108-2118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongmeng Ye ◽  
Xuyin Yuan ◽  
Lei Han ◽  
Heng Yin ◽  
Jing Jin

Suspended and surface sediments from the Tiaoxi watershed, fed by the Xitiaoxi and Dongtiaoxi rivers, were analyzed for total phosphorus (TP) and the inorganic P fractions of loosely adsorbed P that were extractable with NH4Cl (NH4Cl-P), reductant P (BD-P), metal oxide-bound P extractable with NaOH (NaOH-P), and calcium-bound, HCl-extractable P (HCl-P), while other physicochemical compositions were also determined. The spatial variations of P fractions in these sediments were investigated, and the major factors influencing the various fractions were explored by multivariate statistics. Compared to surface sediments, suspended sediments contained considerably higher concentrations of total nitrogen, TP, organic matter, Al, Fe, Mn and biologically available P (BAP, given as NH4Cl-P, BD-P and NaOH-P combined) and lower concentrations of Si, Ca and HCl-P in the studied catchments. Dongtiaoxi sediments had higher TP, inorganic phosphorus and HCl-P concentrations and a lower BAP content compared with Xitiaoxi sediments, trends that were associated with local geological backgrounds, landscapes and anthropogenic characteristics. The results of principal component analysis showed different effects of sediment properties on P fraction distributions for Xitiaoxi and Dongtiaoxi sediments. The sediment components and structure exert a strong influence on BAP in Xitiaoxi sediments, in contrast to Dongtiaoxi sediments, where P fractions are mainly affected by urbanization and other anthropogenic activities such as shipping.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanaa A. Megahed

Abstract Background The limited water resources in arid environments in addition to the effect of agricultural and anthropogenic activities on groundwater quantity and quality necessitate paying more attention to the quality assessment of these resources. The present studies assess the quality of groundwater resources in Wadi El-Assiuti, south Egypt, and evaluate their suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. To achieve this goal, 159 groundwater samples were collected from the outlet and central parts of the Wadi El-Assiuti during the autumn season (October–November) of 2019 and were analyzed for major ions, trace elements and heavy metals. Results The results indicate that the TDS values range between 1972 and 6217 ppm, while the concentration of trace elements (Fe++, Mn++ and Ni+) ranges between 0.05 and 0.46, 0.11 and 0.221 and 0.01 and 0.6 ppm, respectively. These results show that all groundwater samples are clearly unacceptable and inappropriate for human drinking due to their high content of total dissolved solids, trace elements and heavy metals, particularly in the majority of samples according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the Egyptian standards (Eg. St. 2007) for drinking water quality. Spatial analysis of the TDS values in geographic information system environment indicates that the salinity is higher in the northeast and gradually decreases southward. Sodium adsorption ratio, US Salinity Laboratory classification (1954), residual sodium carbonate, soluble sodium percentage and permeability index show that most groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purposes. Conclusions The integrated approach provided in this study highlights the spatially distributed suitability of groundwater resources in Wadi El-Assiuti and can be applied in similar basins worldwide.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Govind Bhatt ◽  
Anand Kumar ◽  
Priya Ranjan Trivedi

AbstractThis study is conducted along the middle Gangetic floodplain, to investigate the hydrogeochemical characteristics and suitability of groundwater for irrigation and human consumptions. Altogether 65 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ions and water quality parameters. pH of all the samples except 1 is found > 7, which suggests alkaline aquifer condition. Groundwater samples predominately belong to Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type followed by Na-HCO3, Mg-HCO3 and Mg-SO4 water types. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) combines groundwater into two distinct groups, Group 1 is found as less mineralized as the average EC value is found 625.3 μS/cm, while it is found 1375 μS/cm for Group 2. The results of correlation analysis and PCA suggest influence of natural and anthropogenic activities on groundwater. PCA extracts four major PCs which describes 71.7% of total variance. PC1 indicates influence of both lithogenic and anthropogenic activities on groundwater quality. PC2 and PC3 infer natural factors, and PC4 suggests influence of anthropogenic activities on groundwater. Exceeding concentration of F−, Fe and Mn above WHO guidelines are found as major public health concern. WQI of all except 4 groundwater samples suggests excellent to good water quality; however, 23% of the samples are not suitable based on WPI values. Irrigation indices suggest that groundwater is mostly suitable for irrigation; however, 10.7%, 12.3% and 3% samples for RSBC, MAR and KR, respectively, exceed the recommended limits and are unsuitable for irrigation. A proper management strategy and quality assurance is recommended before groundwater consumption and use in the study area.


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