Assessment of groundwater quality of different micro-basins of Bangladesh 2 using hydrochemical analysis

Abstract

<jats:p>On the basis of groundwater chemistry, an evaluation of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes was carried out for different regions of Bangladesh. Using the chemical compositions and different quality parameters, irrigation quality was assed using 6 different techniques: USDA method, FAO guidelines, Water-Types approach, Combined approach proposed by Al-Bassam et al. (2003), Ali (2010), and GOB (2007) guidelines. Drinking quality was judged by WHO (2011) provisional guidelines and GOB guidelines. Concentrations of major cations and anions of most groundwater samples were within allowable limit. Except one location (i.e. Barisal), the water for irrigation purpose are suitable to 19 marginally suitable considering salinity and sodicity. For drinking purpose, all except 2 locations (i.e. 20 Sunamgonj and Barisal, where iron is a concern) are found suitable. At these locations, other aquifer layer 21 with low Fe can be searched for safer Fe level. Alternatively, Fe removal system can be assembled for 22 collecting drinking water.Keywords: Groundwater, Hydrochemistry, Quality parameters, Integrated quality assessment, Bangladesh</jats:p>

A Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Quality Assessment of Groundwater from the Sadar Upazila, Khagrachhari District, Bangladesh for Irrigation and Drinking Uses

“…Groundwater can be classified based on SAR values as follows: excellent (<10), good (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18), doubtful (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), and unsuitable for irrigation (>26) [18,20,[39][40][41][42]. Water with a very high SAR value is considered to be unsuitable for irrigation because of the tendency toward long-term damage to the soil structure [26,39].…”

“…When fresh groundwater invades a deeper aquifer that previously contained seawater (NaCl) or an Na-rich brine derived from seawater, Na-HCO 3 type water can be naturally formed from the mixing of freshwater with saline water [15,63]. A study conducted on groundwater quality in different locations in Bangladesh included hydrochemical data for one deep tube well located in the Khagrachhari District [11]. This study also showed that the groundwater collected from the deep well was of Na-HCO 3 type.…”

“…A few water quality investigations [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] have been performed in the hill districts of south-eastern Bangladesh up to this point. However, no groundwater quality assessment study has yet been conducted in the town of Khagrachhari in the Sadar Upazila, which 2 of 19 is considered a significant area in this hill district due to its role as the center of local administration, its importance for the livelihood of a large hill tract community, and its extensive agricultural activity due to having relatively flat land surrounded by hills.…”