Chemical characteristics of groundwater and assessment of groundwater quality in Varaha River Basin, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Study on chemical characteristics of groundwater and impacts of groundwater quality on human health, plant growth, and industrial sector is essential to control and improve the water quality in every part of the country. The area of the Varaha River Basin is chosen for the present study, where the Precambrian Eastern Ghats underlain the Recent sediments. Groundwater quality is of mostly brackish and very hard, caused by the sources of geogenic, anthropogenic, and marine origin. The resulting groundwater is characterized by Na(+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) : [Formula: see text] > Cl(-) > [Formula: see text], Na(+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) : [Formula: see text] > Cl(-) > [Formula: see text] > [Formula: see text], Na(+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) : [Formula: see text] > Cl(-), and Na(+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) : Cl(-) > [Formula: see text] > [Formula: see text] facies, following the topographical and water flow-path conditions. The genetic geochemical evolution of groundwater ([Formula: see text] and Cl(-)-[Formula: see text] types under major group of [Formula: see text]) and the hydrogeochemical signatures (Na(+)/Cl(-), >1 and [Formula: see text]/Cl(-), <1) indicate that the groundwater is of originally fresh quality, but is subsequently modified to brackish by the influences of anthropogenic and marine sources, which also supported by the statistical analysis. The concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), TH, Mg(2+), Na(+), K(+), [Formula: see text], Cl(-), [Formula: see text], and F(-) are above the recommended limits prescribed for drinking water in many locations. The quality of groundwater is of mostly moderate in comparison with the salinity hazard versus sodium hazard, the total salt concentration versus percent sodium, the residual sodium carbonate, and the magnesium hazard, but is of mostly suitable with respect to the permeability index for irrigation. The higher concentrations of TDS, TH, [Formula: see text], Cl(-), and [Formula: see text] in the groundwater cause the undesirable effects of incrustation and corrosion in many locations. Appropriate management measures are, therefore, suggested to improve the groundwater quality.

Preliminary Quality and Potential Assessment of Groundwater in the Basement Complex Terrain of Ijero-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria

“…However, as indicated in Fig.2d, the order of average EC values in the bedrocks reflected that EC in biotite-schist>EC in calc gneiss>EC in pegmatite indicating indirectly the quality of groundwater in the bedrocks. In addition, [20] classified EC as low enrichment of salts (EC<1,500 μS/cm; medium enrichment of salts if EC is between 1,500 and 3,000 μS/cm; and high enrichment of salts if EC>3,000μS/cm. The well water samples in the study area fell under low enrichment of salts based on the measured EC.…”

Characterization of Groundwater Hydro-Chemistry and Quality Assessment in Eti –Osa, Lagos- Nigeria

“…Excessive concentrations of dissolved ions in the water used for irrigation affect plants and the physical and chemical parameters of soil by lowering the osmotic pressure in the plant structural cells (Rao et al, 2012). This process prevents water from reaching the branches and leaves, thus reducing the agricultural productivity.…”

“…The major water quality problems often encountered in industrial operations arise from incrustation and corrosion, which results from the chemical reactions caused by low/ poor water quality (Rao et al, 2012). Johnson (1983) proposed criteria for determining the incrustation and corrosion properties of water in an area.…”

“…The relation between carbonates concentration and alkaline earths (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+ ) concentration can be used to explain the suitability of water for irrigation purpose (Rao et al, 2012). Groundwater can be classified as suitable, if the RSC value is less than 1.25 meq/L; marginally suitable, if the RSC value is between 1.25 and 2.50 meq/L; and unsuitable, if the RSC value is more than 2.50 meq/L.…”

“…Groundwater can be classified as suitable, if the RSC value is less than 1.25 meq/L; marginally suitable, if the RSC value is between 1.25 and 2.50 meq/L; and unsuitable, if the RSC value is more than 2.50 meq/L. High RSC value leads to increase of adsorption of Na + in soil, which reduces the soil permeability and hence do not support plant growth (Rao et al, 2012). The computed RSC value ranged between -101.05 and 16.15meq/L in this study.…”