Statistical evaluation of rainfall time series in concurrence with groundwater resources of Bhandara District, Central India

Abstract

The present study investigates the trend and spatial distribution of rainfall, and groundwater quality assessment for sustainable management of available water resources in the Bhandara district, Maharastra, India. To assess the rainfall trend, parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques (Mann-Kendall test statistic, Sens’s slope estimator) were applied in collected rainfall data from seven gauging stations. The yearly rainfall over the study area reveals substantial decreases during the past 43 years (1971-2013). The trend analysis results showed negative trends in Bhandara, Lakhani, Mohadi, and Pawani, Lakhandur, and Tumsar and positive trendobservedin Sakoli station. However, increased rate of Sakoli station is little about 0.84mm/ year. Among all the stations, Bhandara station experiencing rapidly decreasing rainfall trend. Water samples were analyzed for various parameters such as TSS, TDS, pH, Total Alkalinity etc., andFrom Piper analysis, most of the groundwater samples are concentrated in the Na–Cl type, with minor representations from mixed Ca–Na–HCO3 types. 62.5% of samples influenced by Sea water intrusion. Other 37.5 % representing their groundwater contaminated by Alkaline deposits. About 62.5% of samples having more than the maximum permissible limits of Nitrate in their water content according to the IS:10500. Few parts of study area consist very high saline ground water which is not suitable for irrigation purpose also. The nature of rainfall trends and distribution and groundwater analysis in this district can be useful for other departments or districts.