Hydrogeochemical Evaluation of Groundwater for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes in Avudaiyarkoil Block, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kongeswaran, T.^{; *} | Sivakumar, K. | Muruganantham, A. | Prabakaran, K. | Perumal, V. | Agastheeswaran, V. | Bangaru Priyanga, S. | Muthuramalingam, R.

Affiliations: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi – 630003, Tamil Nadu, India | Department of Geology, Alagappa Govt. Arts and Science College (affiliated to Alagappa University), Karaikudi – 630003, Tamil Nadu, India

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. kongesgeo@gmail.com

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation in the Avudaiyarkoil block of the Pudukottai district, which is a drought-prone region. Samples were collected from 20 wells on January 2021 and analysed for the water quality parameters, such as pH, EC, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3, SO4, NO3 and F-. The analysis revealed that SO4 is the dominant ion followed by Cl-, HCO3-, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3- and F- with respect to the mean value 292>234>208.4>125>100>24.75>18>16.15>0.2. The analytical results were compared with WHO and BIS guideline values to know the groundwater potability and TH, TA, SAR, Na%, RSC, PI, MgC and KI were calculated using the analytical results to identify the suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes.

Keywords: Groundwater, hydrogeochemistry, drinking, irrigation, PCA

DOI: 10.3233/AJW230053

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 69-78, 2023