GROUNDWATER QUALITY EVALUATION IN RELATION TO NITRATEPOLLUTION IN THE JAM RIVER BASIN AT NASHIK ANDAHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA, INDIAG.D. Mhaske, P.M. Nalawade and Resham BhallaAbstract The hydro chemical investigation was undertaken at the Jam river basin to ascertain the state of groundwaterand its evaluation related to nitrate pollution. During this study, sixty (60) representative samples of theground water were taken from the Sinnar, Sangamner and Kopargaon tehsil, bore wells and dug wellswhich are used for irrigation and drinking reasons and samples were analyzed during pre and post monsoon2021. The different physicochemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, cations viz. Ca, Mg, Na, K and anionsinclude HCO3, CO3, SO4, PO4, NO3, F and Cl were determined. In the study, it was found that the samplesfrom irrigated agricultural areas made up the majority have NO3 levels that are higher than 45 mg/l. Forgroundwater from irrigated land usage, the Cl-/NO3- ratio is <2 indicates fertilizers are the main source ofnitrate. The proposed research work is helpful in implementing groundwater quality management programsto avoid the hazards of contamination. |