Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

HYDROCHEMICAL ELUCIDATION OF GROUNDWATER FOR DRINKING AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES – A CASE STUDY OF NANDI RIVER BASIN, TAMILNADU, INDIA

K. Prabhu and R. Sivakumar

Abstract

The present study has been made to assess the quality of groundwater using different graphical and statistical methods for Pre and Post Monsoon seasons in the Nandi River basin. A total number of 50 bore well water samples were collected and analyzed to determine the groundwater suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes. The hydro geochemical data were analyzed with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. In Piper plot shows that the majority groundwater samples are of Ca-Cl, Na-Cl and mixed Ca-Mg-Cl type in pre and post monsoon seasons respectively. The concentration of TDS exceeds the permissible limit in an average of about 55% samples in pre and post monsoon seasons. The groundwater sample data are plotted in the USSL diagram, which illustrates that most of the water samples fall in the region of high salinity and low sodium hazard in both seasons, which need adequate drainage to overcome the salinity problems for irrigation purposes. The Gibb’s plot shows that, hydro geochemical processes of rock–water interaction. Wilcox diagram and permeability index of Donnen’s plot indicate most of the groundwater samples are good for irrigation in both seasons.