Publication Date:
2011-06-10
Description:
A hydrogeochemical investigation was conducted in a coastal region of Cuddalore district to identify the influence of saltwater intrusion and suitability of groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes. The geology of the study area comprises of sandstone, clay, alluvium, and laterite soils of Tertiary and Quaternary age. A total of 18 groundwater samples were analyzed for 14 different water quality parameters and the result indicates higher concentrations of ions like Cl (3,509 mg/l), Na (3,123 mg/l), and HCO 3 (998 mg/l) when compared with WHO, BIS, and ISI standards. A positive correlation ( r 2 = 0.82) was observed between Na and Cl, indicating its sources from salt water intrusion. Three factors were extracted with a total variance of 64% which indicates the sources of salinization, cation exchange, and anthropogenic impact to the groundwater. The Piper trilinear diagram indicates both Na–Cl and mixed Na–HCO 3 –Cl-type, indicating that groundwater was strongly affected by anthropogenic activities. The plot of (Ca + Mg)/(K + Na) indicates evidences of cation exchange and salt water intrusion. The (Ca–0.33*HCO 3 )/ SO 4 plot indicates salt water intrusion for elevated SO 4 levels rather than gypsum dissolution. The spatial distribution of total dissolved solid indicates the saline water encroachment along the SW part of the study area. As per sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), 50% of the samples with 〈10 SAR are suitable for irrigation and 〉10 SAR indicates that water is unsuitable for irrigation purposes. The residual sodium carbonate classification indicates that 50% of the samples fall in safe and 50% of the samples fall in bad zones and prolonged usage of this water will affect the crop yield. The Chloro Alkaline Index of water indicates disequilibrium due to a higher ratio of Cl 〉 Na–K, indicating the influence of salt water intrusion. The Permeability Index of the groundwater indicates that the groundwater from the study area is moderate to good for irrigation purposes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s12517-011-0351-2 Authors K. Srinivasamoorthy, Department of Earth Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, 605 104 India M. Vasanthavigar, Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002 Tamilnadu, India K. Vijayaraghavan, Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002 Tamilnadu, India R. Sarathidasan, Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002 Tamilnadu, India S. Gopinath, Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002 Tamilnadu, India Journal Arabian Journal of Geosciences Online ISSN 1866-7538 Print ISSN 1866-7511
Print ISSN:
1866-7511
Electronic ISSN:
1866-7538
Topics:
Geosciences
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