Hydrochemical Characteristics Assessment of Groundwater Quality, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

In this research, the quality of the groundwater was investigated in the surrounding areas of Mathura city, India. Piper diagrams were used to identify hydrochemical facies and chemical datasets were also employed in different mathematical calculations (SAR, %Na, and USSL diagrams) to determine acceptable quality of drinking consumption and irrigation use of groundwater in the Mathura region was. Multivariate statistical methods such as Discriminant analysis (DA) Cluster analysis (CA) and applied for the observed datasets collected from Goverdhan, Radhakund, Barsana, Nandgoan, Kosikalan, and Chaumuhan. 19 different groundwater sampling sites—including hand pumps, tube wells, and borings were collected and analyzed. Analysis of 18 distinct groundwater quality indicators, including Temperature (T), pH, turbidity (tur), Electrical conductivity (EC), etc. The Piper diagram's conclusion shows that the main ions Na+, K+, SO42−, Cl− predominate whereas ion like Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3− are significantly unsuitable. Most of the groundwater samples fall in the category of C4S4 based on USSL diagram, which denotes high sodium and salinity water. Most of the sampling locations had SAR and %Na values that are above the permitted limit, so requiring a suitable drainage and water management plan for the research region. Cluster analysis grouped nineteen sampling locations into 3 clusters based on group of similarities of the characteristics they possess. The first, second and third clusters represented moderately polluted, more polluted sites and less polluted sites. Water quality metrics provided 100% accurate assignments because of DA which aid in evaluating the variables that differentiate the perceived groups.