Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Quality Assessment of Groundwater in an Irrigated Region, Northwest China

Groundwater is one of the most important sources of water for drinking and irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In this study, 50 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for various chemical constituents (pH, TDS, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−, Cl−, HCO3−, NO3−, and F−) to identify the hydrogeochemical characteristics, and to evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation uses in Zhongning area of Northwest China. Results showed that groundwater was slightly alkaline in nature. Fluoride and nitrate concentrations in the groundwater of the study region were much higher than its prescribed limits for drinking purposes. A factor analysis (FA) was implemented to understand the contamination source of groundwater in the region, and the results indicated that rock–water interaction, geogenic, and human-induced contamination were the major factors influencing groundwater chemistry. An entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) was employed to evaluate the water quality for drinking purpose. Mg2+, Ca2+, SO42-, HCO3−, and TDS played the leading roles in influencing the groundwater quality with high weights. Forty-eight percent of groundwater samples were unfit for drinking purpose in the study area, due to poor quality. Elevated concentrations of SO42−, Cl− and NO3−-N in groundwater caused poor quality and extremely poor quality water, which may be attributed to human activities. According to the calculation of sodium percentage (Na%), sodium adsorption ration (SAR), and permeability index (PI), the majority of the groundwater samples were suitable for irrigation. However, it should be noted that 26% of the samples were unfit for irrigation because of the high salinity in the groundwater. This is mainly attributed to the intense evaporation and the intensified irrigation activities in the region. The findings in this study contribute to a better understanding of groundwater sustainability for supporting water management and protection in the future.

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Seasonal variation in ground water quality and its suitability for drinking and agriculture –a case study in Kancheepuram region, Tamil Nadu, India

Global NEST Journal ◽

10.30955/gnj.001660 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 131-139

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Ground Water ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Total Hardness ◽

Ground Water Quality ◽

Study Region ◽

Drinking Purpose

In the present study an attempt has been made to assess the seasonal ground water quality variations at Kancheepuram region, Tamil Nadu, India. In order to evaluate the seasonal ground water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes, 68 groundwater well data were collected and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3- and F-. Nine parameters viz., pH, TDS, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42- , HCO3- and F- were used to calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI) using weighted arithmetic index for drinking purpose. EC and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) were the two important indicators used to assess the irrigation water quality. Mapping was done to examine the spatial distribution of water quality parameters using Geographical Information System (GIS). From the analysis, more than half of the samples record good water quality whereas only 1% falls under unsuitable category for drinking purpose. Approximately 33% of samples falls under poor quality for drinking. In terms of irrigation, the salinity hazard occurs in 23 to 42% of sampling locations depicting the uncertainty towards agricultural production in the study region. From the study, it is observed that the water quality is highly degraded where Industrialization and urbanization took place when compared to areas where agriculture is being practiced. Hence, suitable measures to ameliorate the pollution effect of urbanization and industrializations are suggested.

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Groundwater quality mapping for drinking and irrigation purposes using statistical, hydrochemical facies, and water quality indices in Tercha District, Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management ◽

10.15243/jdmlm.2022.092.3367 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 3367-3377

Author(s):

Arefegn Arota ◽

Abunu Atlabachew ◽

Abel Abebe ◽

Muralitharan Jothimani

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

World Health ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Sodium Absorption ◽

Study Region ◽

Water Types ◽

Drinking And Irrigation ◽

Groundwater Samples

When groundwater quality is good, it may be a substantial water supply for various applications. However, no systematic research on hydrogeochemistry and water quality features for drinking and irrigation has been undertaken in the present study area. As a result, the current study looked at hydrogeochemical variables and groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation in Tercha district, Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Forty-seven groundwater samples were collected and tested to satisfy the required target for various physicochemical properties. The hydrogeochemical features of the groundwater in the study region were assessed using in-situ testing and laboratory analysis of physicochemical parameters. Groundwater samples from the research region were slightly acidic to slightly basic, with the principal cations and anions decreasing in sequence: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3-> Cl-> SO42-. The hadrochemical facies of the studied region evolved from mildly mineralized dominant highland Ca-HCO3 water types to moderately mineralized mixed Ca-Na-HCO3 water types to highly mineralized deep rift floor Na-HCO3 water types. Additionally, the World Health Organization and the Ethiopian Standard Agency were utilized to compare the drinking water quality. Except for NO3- (4.25 %), Fe (8.51 %), and F- (2.12%), all groundwater samples from the research region were determined to be within permitted limits and appropriate for drinking. According to the Water Quality Index, about 80.86% of groundwater samples are excellent, and 19.14% are good drinking water. Sodium absorption ratio (SAR), sodium (Na) percentage, residual sodium carbonate RSC, permeability index (PI), and magnesium hazard were among the irrigation water quality indicators calculated (MH). The great majority of groundwater samples are suitable for agricultural use.

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Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purpose using Different Water Quality Indices in Parts of Gautam Budh Nagar District, India

Asian Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.14233/ajchem.2020.22531 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 1128-1138

Author(s):

Meenu Agarwal ◽

Meenakshi Singh ◽

Jakir Hussain

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

Water Quality Index ◽

Quality Index ◽

Pure Water ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Canadian Council ◽

Ccme Wqi ◽

Drinking Purpose

Water Quality Index (WQI) is a mathematical value for quality of water, which includes the concentration of a number of constituents present in it. Chemical and biological measures of water quality are used to represent water quality index. Measured value of the selected parameters, ideal concentration of that parameter in pure water and standard value given by different quality control organizations are used to determine this number. In the present study, three indexing methods; Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI), Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) and Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) were used to calculate water quality index of groundwater. A hydrochemical analysis of 22 groundwater samples was conducted to evaluate the quality of groundwater for drinking purpose. Ten hydrochemical parameters were selected for computing WQIs of groundwater samples and BIS standards were used for standardization. Analytical results show that 100 % of samples have magnesium and total hardness above the acceptable limit of BIS (10500, 2012). The mean concentration of nitrate was found 196.96 ± 9.3.18 mg/L. Spatial distribution of various parameters shows that south-east part of study area has contaminated groundwater. The results of water quality index shows that drinking water quality of 82 % (WAWQI), 95 % (GWQI) and 77 % (CCME WQI) of groundwater samples were poor to unsuitable type. Water quality index map also reveals that groundwater of village Badhpura, Dhoom Manikpur, Dairy Maccha, Khera Dharampura, Bisrakh road, Duryai and Dujana of district Gautam Budh Nagar of India, was not fit for human consumption.

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Hydrogeochemical status and geoelectrical characteristics of the shallow aquifers of Kalanad Basin, Kasaragod, Kerala, India

Applied Water Science ◽

10.1007/s13201-021-01361-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Author(s):

S. Anoop ◽

C. Ashwathi ◽

V. Haritha Baburaj ◽

Resma S. Pillai

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Chemical Nature ◽

Lateritic Soil ◽

Factor Analyses ◽

Suitability Assessment ◽

Resistivity Survey ◽

Drinking And Irrigation ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Standard Values ◽

Almost All

AbstractGroundwater demand has increased due to overpopulation and intensive irrigation which resulted in decline of water resources and deterioration of water quality. In this view, a microlevel study was conducted through hydrogeochemical investigation and resistivity survey (VES) in Kalanad river basin, Kasaragod, Kerala. The study aims to determine the spatial variations in physicochemical parameters with delineation of geological layers of the study area through VES. Hydrogeochemical investigation and water suitability assessment for drinking and irrigation purposes were confined to open well water samples of the study area. The sample analysis and comparison with various standards (WHO and BIS) show that the groundwater is not entirely fit for drinking with respect to pH. Almost all samples fall within standard values as per the irrigation water quality indices. The chemical nature of the groundwater samples was dominated by alkalies and majority of the samples belonged to sodium chloride type. This study also dealt with the interpretation of hydrogeochemical data using correlation and R mode factor analyses. VES was carried out at seven locations, and the apparent resistivity values obtained had been analysed. The interpretation delineated a maximum of four geologic layers in the study area. The sequence of geologic formation is composed of highly resistive top lateritic soil followed by saturated zone and then the basement topography in the entire basin.

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Impact of Waste and Industrial Effluent on Ground Water Quality Index in Rabigh Area, Makkah Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Asian Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.14233/ajchem.2021.23423 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 2503-2508

Author(s):

Rawan H. Alansari ◽

Rawan N. Alrajhi ◽

Rana A. Alghamdi

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Ground Water ◽

Water Quality Index ◽

Quality Index ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

E Coli ◽

Drinking Purpose

The quality of surface water and groundwater has deteriorated as a result of increased industrialization, urbanization and agricultural practices during the last few decades. Contaminated groundwater can cause major health problems in humans, such as typhoid and other infections. Similar in the case of Rabigh Governorate, the groundwater is one of the main sources of water for domestic and agriculture purposes in its villages situated in western Saudi Arabia. Many factories have been established in Rabigh region in recent years and day to day input of numerous untreated/partially treated water resulting in major environmental problems, one of which is the low quality of groundwater causing serious environmental and health issues. The presented study discusses the ground water as the main available and usable source in extremely climatic condition of arid area of Saudi Arabia. The article proceeds with the brief introduction of ground water, its contamination sources and health hazards. For this, 13 water samples were from the randomly selected wells in Rabigh Governorate for quality examine. Water quality index analysis was conducted, which is a useful technique for fast assessment of the quality of any water resource. Various physical and chemical parameters of water quality index such as pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), dissolved oxygen (DO), arsenic and E. coli are measured and analyzed. The values of all groundwater samples are compared with the standard WHO permissible values. The water quality of the wells were classified into “good, poor, very poor and unsuitable for drinking” based on physico-chemical parameters. According to the observed study, water quality range (WQR) for 5 samples (38% of the samples) are of poor quality, 3 samples (23%) are recorded with a very poor quality and 5 samples (38%) are not suitable for drinking purpose due to presence of high conductivity and TDS values. After taking into consideration the presence of E. coli in 31% of the samples (n = 4), about 62% of the samples (n = 8) are not suitable for drinking purpose, only 23% (n = 3) samples are of poor quality and 15% (n = 2) are very poor quality. The findings reveal a decrease in water quality (unsuitable for drinking purpose) in 8 out of 13 collected samples. It is believed that waste and industrial activities have an impact on groundwater quality in the study area, however, a nationwide investigation should be conducted to validate this finding.

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Determining groundwater facies and water quality index in Tanah Bumbu Regency/South Borneo Indonesia

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202020204007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 202 ◽

pp. 04007

Author(s):

Thomas Triadi Putranto ◽

Rahmad S. Ginting

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

Water Quality Index ◽

Quality Index ◽

Unconfined Aquifer ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Confined Aquifer ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Dug Wells ◽

Calcium Magnesium

Most people in Tanah Bumbu Regency use water from dug wells for their daily activities. Kotabaru Regency is located in Pagatan Groundwater Basin, which is located in three administrative boundaries, namely Tanah Laut Regency, Tanah Bumbu Regency, The purposes of this study are to determine the type of groundwater facies and Water Quality Index (WQI). The methods were hydrogeological mapping and hydrogeochemical analysis of groundwater samples to evaluate groundwater quality. There were 170 groundwater samples mapped in the study area. The study area has differences in groundwater quality in both confined aquifer and unconfined aquifer. The unconfined aquifer has two types of groundwater facies, namely Ca-Mg-HCO3 (Calcium Magnesium Bicarbonate) and Ca-Cl (Calcium Chloride). In comparison, the confined aquifer has two types, which are Ca-Mg-HCO3- (Calcium Magnesium Bicarbonate) and Na-HCO3- (Sodium Bicarbonate). Based on the calculation of the Water Quality Index (WQI) of unconfined aquifer samples show that 70% of groundwater samples have poor quality. Meanwhile, the confined aquifer samples indicate that 85% of groundwater samples have good to excellent, which is suitable for drinking water.

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ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR DRINKING AND AGRICULTURAL USES IN THE ZACHARO BASIN, SW PELOPONNESUS

Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece ◽

10.12681/bgsg.11795 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 899

Author(s):

G. Panagopoulos ◽

N. Lambrakis ◽

C. Chalvantzis ◽

V. Bekiari ◽

P. Avramidis

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Major Ions ◽

Karst Aquifer ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Alluvial Aquifer ◽

Natural Processes ◽

Drinking Purposes ◽

Drinking And Irrigation ◽

Neogene Aquifer

The hydrochemical character of the Zacharo basin groundwaters and their suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes are evaluated in this paper. The Pindos karst aquifer, the Neogene and the alluvial aquifer are the three most mportant aquifers of the study area. 46 water samples were taken from wells, boreholes and spring and they analyzed for the physicochemical parameters (pH, EC and TOC), major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, HCO3-, Cl-, F-, SO4 2- and NO3-) and trace metals (B, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Se, Ni). The suitability of groundwaters for drinking and irrigation is evaluated by the calculation of Water Quality Index and the indices SAR, %Na, RSC and KR. The water of the karstic and alluvial aquifer is of “excellent” quality for both uses. On the other hand, the Neogene aquifer shows serious problems in respect with the degradation of water quality, since 20% of the samples are of “poor” and “extremely poor” quality for drinking purposes and 33% are “unsuitable” for irrigation. The degradation of water quality is attributed to natural processes of enhanced ion exchange, since the cation exchange capacity of the aquifer materials is increased due to the presence of clay minerals and organic matter.

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Assessment of Drinking Water Purification Plant Efficiency in Al-Hassa, Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6122

Author(s):

El-Sayed A. Badr ◽

Ahmed A. Al-Naeem

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Water Purification ◽

Water Samples ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Class I ◽

Quality Class ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Dissolved Salts

The quality of drinking water is an extremely important factor in public health. The main sources of drinking water in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are bottled water, purified groundwater, and desalinated seawater. This study aimed to assess drinking water quality and evaluate the performance of water purification plants in Al-Hassa and with the aid of the water quality index (WQI). A total of 150 water samples were collected from 30 water purification plants. The physiochemical characteristics of drinking water, including the pH, TDS, EC, turbidity, free chlorine, total hardness, anions (Cl, HCO3, SO4, NO3, and F), cations (Na, K, Ca, and Mg), iron, and manganese, were investigated. The results revealed that the purified water was of acceptable quality for drinking with respect to the measured physiochemical characteristics. The overall water purification efficiency for the reduction in total dissolved salts and related anions and cations was over 90%. For instance, the average TDS values in groundwater were 1916 ± 806 mg/L, which decreased to 118 ± 32.9 mg/L in purified water. The WQI results showed that all the collected purified water samples were considered to be of excellent quality (class I) for drinking. Meanwhile, 81.7% of the untreated groundwater samples were considered to be poor quality (class III), and 11.7% were considered to be very poor quality (class IV) due to their high contents of dissolved salts. The purification of the groundwater improved its quality from very poor/poor quality (classes III and IV) to excellent water quality (class I). A Piper diagram revealed that 80% of the investigated groundwater samples were of the sodium chloride–sulfate water type. Overall, we found that the groundwater in the investigated area is not suitable for drinking purposes unless further purification techniques are applied.

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Hydrogeochemical delineation of groundwater fitness for drinking and agricultural utilities in Thiruvallur district, South India

Arabian Journal of Geosciences ◽

10.1007/s12517-021-06547-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Subramani Senthilkumar ◽

Balu Gowtham ◽

Krishnaraj Srinivasamoorthy ◽

Selvaraj Gopinath

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

South India ◽

Electrical Conductance ◽

Total Dissolved Solids ◽

Sodium Adsorption Ratio ◽

Dissolved Solids ◽

Southeastern Part ◽

Study Region ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Kelly’S Ratio

AbstractAppraisal of groundwater fitness to drinking, agricultural, and domestic purposes was attempted within the Thiruvallur district of South India since groundwater is the significant sources for the above utilities. Groundwater samples collected from a sum of 110 locations have to be analyzed for major concentrations of which higher values of total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride (Cl−), and sodium (Na+) ions were noted during pre-monsoon (PRM) specifically besides the east along with the southeastern part of the study region and higher calcium (Ca2+) and nitrate (NO3−) values disseminated besides the central and eastern parts of the study region during the post-monsoon (POM) season. Suitability of water quality depends upon total dissolved solids; Water Quality Index (WQI) suggests 70% and 62% of the study area representing hard and sedimentary formations are appropriate for consumption utilities. Irrigation aptness of water for utility suggests the majority of study area is suitable in view of electrical conductance, sodium adsorption ratio, USSL plot, Na%, Wilcox’s plot, Kelly’s ratio, and Doneen’s plot. Dominant hydrochemical facies were observed to be Na-Cl, mixed Ca-Mg-Cl, and Ca-HCO3, and parameters like Na+, Ca2+, HCO3−, Cl−, and NO3− ions have been observed to be higher in the central region next to the east and may be appropriate to influence geogenic, anthropogenic, and seawater encroachment.

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Integration of Heavy Metal Pollution Indices and Health Risk Assessment of Groundwater in Semi-arid Coastal Aquifers, South Africa

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1047297/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Philisiwe P Mthembu ◽

Vetrimurugan Elumalai ◽

Peiyue Li ◽

Sivakumar Uthandi ◽

William P. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Health Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Contaminated Groundwater ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Study Region ◽

Groundwater Samples

Abstract The metal contaminated groundwater results in serious health issues and hence this study attempts to address metal contamination and its sources by using integrated techniques including indexed and statistical methods and its related health hazards. Groundwater pH varied from 5.3 to 8.3 indicating acidic to alkaline in nature. Heavy metal evaluation index and degree of contamination reveal that all the groundwater samples fall under low pollution and are appropriate for human consumption. According to the pollution index majority of the samples fall in the insignificant pollution zone. Water quality index reveal that 19% and 2% of the groundwater samples belong to the poor and very poor water quality category and are spatially situated on the central, northern and southern parts of the study region. Correlation matrix and principal component analysis reveal that weathering of aquifer matrix and anthropogenic activities are accountable for the release of heavy metals into groundwater. Furthermore, R-mode and Q-mode cluster analysis revealed two clusters which are linked to mixed sources including weathering and anthropogenic activities. Based on the hazard quotient the order of heavy metal impact is: Co>Pb>Cd>Zn>As>Mn>Cu>Cr>Fe>Ni for both children and adult. The hazard index values varied from 0.06 to 8.16 for children and from 0.02 to 2.14 for adult. In this study, it is discovered that 43% and 26% of groundwater samples pose non-carcinogenic health risk in children and adult, respectively. This study highly recommends treatment of contaminated groundwater before consumption in order to protect and maintain the public health.

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