Abstract: The hydrogeochemical study of surface and sub-surface water
resources of Deogarh district of Jharkhand state was undertaken to assess major
ion chemistry and water quality in relation to domestic and irrigation uses.
Analytical results show mildly acidic to alkaline nature of water and dominance
of Ca^{2+} and Na^+ in cationic and HCO_3^- and Cl^-
in anionic abundance. In general,
alkaline earth elements (Ca^{2+}+Mg^{2+}) exceed alkalies (Na^++K^+) and weak acids
dominate (HCO_3^-) over strong acids (SO_4^{2-}+Cl^-) in majority of water samples.
Ca-Mg-HCO_3 is the dominant hydrochemical facies both in surface and groundwater
of the area. Weathering of rock forming minerals and ion exchange processes
mainly controlled solute chemistry with secondary contribution from
anthropogenic sources. Assessments of water quality for drinking purposes
pointed that majority of water samples are suitable for drinking. Concentration
of TDS, TH, F^-, Cl^- and NO_3^- are exceeding desirable levels prescribed for
drinking water at some sites. However, these parameters are well within the
maximum permissible limit except for some cases. SAR, RSC, %Na, MH and PI
values suggest that both surface and groundwater are good for irrigation uses
except at some sites, where salinity, MH and PI values are higher than the
prescribed levels.
Keywords: Water quality, groundwater, Deogarh district, SAR, RSC
