hydrochemistry and quality assessment of groundwater in banas river ...

Journal of Environmental Research And Development

J. Environ. Res. Develop. Vol. 8 No. 2, October-December 2013

HYDROCHEMISTRY AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN BANAS RIVER BASIN, RAJASTHAN, INDIA Ali Syed Ahmad and Khan Nazia* Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (INDIA)

Received July 05, 2013

Accepted November 07, 2013

ABSTRACT The problems of water quality have become more serious than the quantity, as the environmental problems are getting more serious day by day in different parts of the world. A various number of factors like soil, geology, sewage disposal, effluents and other environmental conditions in which the water tends to stay or move and interact with ground and biological characteristics. This greatly influences the groundwater quality of an area. The Banas river basin occupying an area of about 702.55 km2, falls in Udaipur and Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, India. The study area falls under the tropical climate. It has high temperature in summer and very cold in winter. The mean annual rainfall is 625 mm. The major sources of water supply in the study area for drinking and industrial uses are surface water bodies (lakes) and groundwater. Currently, groundwater (wells and handpumps) is the major source of irrigation. Assessment of groundwater quality and hydrochemical evolution of groundwater has been studied. Hydrochemical analysis has been carried out based on concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO42-, CO32- and HCO3-. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), percent sodium (% Na), Permeability Index (PI), pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH) and trilinear diagrams have been studied. SAR value ranges from 5.76 mg/L – 30.68 mg/L. Percent sodium value ranges from 64.76 – 94.26%. Permeability Index ranges from 33.46 – 99.58%. PH values ranges from 7.71 – 8.61. The value of hardness ranges from 76 – 1024 % . Na and PI results indicate that the groundwater in the basin is suitable for irrigation use. Thus, the present study reveals that the groundwater in the basin is of moderate to good quality and is suitable for all uses.

Key Words : Groundwater quality, Hydrochemical facies, Sodium Adsorbtion Ratio (SAR), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Permeability Index (PI)

INTRODUCTION Water is one of the valuable natural resources whose quality has vital concern for the human welfare.1 Groundwater is the main source of water that meets the agricultural, industrial and household requirements.2 The availability of groundwater depends upon the nature of rocks and their water bearing characteristics. Some of the research scientists have studied on groundwater and drainage morphometric analysis in different parts of India.3-6 Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resource, which supports human health, socio-economic development and functioning of ecosystems.8-10 Geoscientists applied different methods for mapping and structural interpretation11-13, lithostratigraphical *Author for correspondence

study14, identification of unstable zone, tectonics net erosion rate15 and landuse/landcover change detection.16,17 Anthropogenic activities have exerted small to large scale changes on the hydrological cycle. Water quality plays an important role in promoting agricultural production and standard of human health. The over exploitation of groundwater has detrimentally affected groundwater in terms of the quality and quantity. Residential, municipal, commercial, industrial and agricultural activities affect groundwater quality.18

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Water quality data are utilized in the present study to analyse the groundwater chemistry. Hydro geochemical data are used in the analysis, 280


including Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH) and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Percent sodium and Permeability Index (PI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS Study area Banas river basin falls in Udaipur district of Rajasthan, India. The total area of the Banas river basin is 702.55 sq.km. The study area is located lies between latitude 25000’ – 24 045’N and longitude 73 025’ – 73045 ’E falling in Survey of India toposheets No.45H/5 and 45H/9 on 1:50,000 scale (Fig. 1). It has tropical climate, high temperatures in summer and very cold in winters. The summers have a mean maximum of 40 0C and a mean


minimum of 25.80C, while the winter mean maximum is 220C and the mean minimum is 8.3 0C. Monsoon arrives in the month of July heralded by dust and thunderstorms. It annually receives around 637mm of rainfall. This scanty amount of rainfall makes more humid. The humidity reaches to the extent of 90 percent during the month of monsoons. The river Banas originating from the Khamnor hills of the Aravalli ranges (about 5 kms from Kumbalgarh) is one of the major rivers of the state which, in its entire course, flows through Rajasthan. It flows from Kumbalgarh towards the south upto Gogunda plateau and after cutting the Aravalli ranges at right angles; it flows through Nathdwara, Rajsamand and Railmagra.

Fig. 1 : Location map of the study area Eighteen types of geologic lithology namely, (1) biotite schist and calc biotite schist, (2) biotite schist and calc schist, (3) biotite schist and gneiss, (4) calc silicate rocks, (5) cherty breccias, (6) chloritic phyllites and meta tuff, (7) dolomite, (8) dolomitic marble, (9) epiclastic conglomerate, (10) feldspathic schist, (11) garnetiferous mica schist, (12) granite and gneiss, (13) hornblende schist, (14) meta siltstone and phyllite, (15) mica schist, (16) pegmatite and composite gneisses, (17) phyllite and mica schist, (18) quartzite are

found in the study area (Fig. 2). Study of the lithofacies and bedding characteristics and groundwater of Udaipur area, Rajasthan has been carried out.19,20 These litho units are soft and friable. Gneiss is grey to dark colored, medium to coarse grained rocks. Schist litho units are hard and compact, fine to medium grained and characterized by alternating bands of light and dark colored ferromagnesian minerals. Granite is grey colored, medium to coarse grained rock mainly composed of quartz, feldspar with biotite and hornblende as

281


minor constituents. Quartzites are grey, pink, pale and light green. Quartzites occupy west and south west part of the study area. The water samples were collected from the field at different locations (Fig. 3). 23 samples were collected in plastic bottles that had been thoroughly washed and rinsed with distilled water. The plastic bottles were closed tightly to avoid any spillage during transportation. Samples were analyzed for various physical parameters and chemical constituents following standard methods. Hardness and calcium was calculated by titration agents EDTA. Hardness (mg/L) Calcium (mg/L)

=

EDTA used x 1000 mL of sample =

EDTA used x 400.8 mL of sample


Chloride was calculated by titration against silver nitrate (mL x N of AgNO3) 1000 X Chloride 35.5 = (mg/L) mL of sample Magnesium was calculated by (y-x) 400.8 Magnesium = (mg/L) Vol. of sample x 1.645 y = EDTA used in hardness x = EDTA used in calcium Sulphate was calculated by gravimetric method (BaSO4 in mg) 411.5 Sulphate = (mg/L) mL of sample Sodium and potassium was calculated by Flame Photometer. The whole analysis was carried out in the geochemistry lab, Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

Fig. 2 : Geological map of Banas river basin showing water sample location 282



Fig. 3 : Photographs showing collecting water samples in the study area

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation use and hydrochemical evolution of groundwater has been studied. Hydrochemical analysis has been carried out based on concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO2-, CO32- and HCO3-. Sodium Adsorbtion Ratio (SAR), Percent sodium (% Na), Permeability index (PI) and Trilinear diagram have been studied (Table 1). The Piper Trilinear diagram (Fig. 4) is commonly used in water chemistry studies, which can show the percentage composition of

different ions. By grouping Na+ and K+ together, the major cations were displayed on the trilinear diagram. Likewise, CO32- and HCO3- are grouped resulting in 3 groups of the major anions. The cations and anions were plotted in left and right triangles as a single point. These points are then projected into the central diamond shaped area parallel to the upper edges of the central area. All these points in the diamond shaped area represent the total ionic distribution. For each water sample, a single point was obtained in the diamond shaped area, which represents the total ionic distribution.

Source : Data obtained from American geophysical union, Washington DC, USA

Fig. 4 : Chemical facies of groundwater of study area in Piper diagram 283

J. Environ. Res. Develop. Journal of Environmental Research And Development

Vol. 8 No. 2, October-December 2013

TDS Hardness (mg/L) SAR (mg/L)

% Na Na+ K+ Ca2+ Mg2+ CO32- HCO3- Cl – PI (%) (%) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

EC SO42RSC micromhos (mg/L) (epm) /cm

pH

SW

8.61

248

1885

9.28

76.09

86.99

335

48

43.28

34.11

160

360

161.88

411.5

720

6.27

HP

8.16

184

1750

9.34

78.70

87.90

290

39

35.27

23.39

80

180

124.96

493.8

1220

1.93

3

Delwara lake Near Delwara lake Nathdwara

HP

8.17

172

1

10.96

81.64

88.82

330

37

24.04

27.28

100

130

122.12

493.8

680

2.02

4

Banas river

SW

8.45

240

1

9.74

76.97

82.83

345

41

25.65

42.88

120

120

159.04

576.1

640

1.16

5

Nichla Nohra

HP

7.97

180

1

10.71

80.85

85.41

330

33

6.41

39.95

180

60

79.52

411.5

920

0.38

6

Mundawala Chchota Bhanuja Bada Bhanuja

HP

7.85

1024

1

23.11

78.74

79.70

1700

81

94.58

191.99

80

110

17.04

1069.9

880

16.06

HP

8.07

308

1

17.65

83.97

83.37

710

54

84.96

23.39

0

0

522.56

576.1

1395

-6.16

HP

7.97

472

1

13.43

76.76

79.81

670

81

36.87

92.58

40

170

340.8

658.4

1815

-5.34

HP

7.98

244

1

8.64

74.67

82.96

310

37

19.23

47.75

60

190

90.88

493.8

2010

0.22

HP

8.09

464

1

12.74

81.49

76.59

630

528

57.71

77.96

100

30

389.08

823

1516

-5.47

11

Gaon guda Jhalo ki madaar Machind

HP

8.33

92

1

30.68

94.26

99.58

6670

42

19.23

10.72

100

180

198.8

658.4

705

4.44

12

Tula

HP

7.72

272

1

12.20

81.68

85.11

460

168

16.03

56.52

120

170

244.24

576.1

3260

1.33

13

Gogunda

HP

7.77

288

1

11.45

82.59

84.75

445

312

59.31

34.11

140

230

210.16

329.2

1005

2.66

14

Jaswantgarh

HP

7.7

404

1

7.94

68.31

73.59

365

61

41.68

73.09

40

190

215.84

740.7

4290

1.35

15

Tarpal

HP

8.43

368

1

7.51

67.81

68.66

330

46

64.12

50.67

80

20

218.68

576.1

5183

-4.39

16

Kagdi

Well

8

256

1

13.27

87.64

98.69

305

36

32.06

42.88

60

200

144.84

411.5

635

0.15

17

Semol

HP

7.66

312

1

11.56

87.05

89.53

335

272

41.68

50.67

60

110

187.44

493.8

1210

-2.45

18

Kamol

HP

8.14

76

1

14.57

79.71

81.83

630

27

22.44

4.87

60

150

235.72

493.8

760

3.2

19

Semod

HP

7.82

136

1275

5.95

64.76

33.46

18

32.06

13.64

20

150

59.64

411.5

1301

0.39

20

Padrara

HP

7.65

324

1

8.33

77.67

79.90

230 345

296

9.61

73.09

80

290

181.76

493.8

6215

0.92

S/N

1 2

7

284

8 9 10

284

J. Environ. Res. Develop. Vol. 8 No. 2, October -December 2013

Water type

Location


Table 1 : Hydrogeochemical characteristics of the water samples of the Banas river basin in mg/L

J. Environ. Res. Develop. Journal of Environmental Research And Development

Vol. 8 No. 2, October-December 2013

Sayera

HP

7.78

276

1

5.76

67.35

76.15

220

72

28.85

49.70

60

230

105.08

411.5

5960

0.23

22

Ranakpur

HP

7.81

324

1

7.97

70.59

82.15

330

48

9.61

73.09

20

470

127.8

329.2

1120

1.87

23

Beti nadi

SW

7.71

300

1599

6.28

65.98

77.48

250

31

24.04

58.47

140

300

79.52

329.2

2190

3.56

285


21

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285


ranges from 76 – 1024. In USSL diagram, C 3 – S2, indicates high salinity – medium sodium type. This type of water can be used to irrigate salt tolerant and semi tolerant crops under favorable drainage conditions. In Wilcox diagram (Fig. 6), 16 water samples falls in permissible to doubtful category, 5 water samples falls in doubtful to unsuitable category whereas 2 samples falls in unsuitable category.

Sodium (alkali)

In cation facies all the samples are of sodium or potassium type. In anion fancies 8 samples are of sulphate type, 1 sample is of bicarbonate type, 1 sample is of chloride type and 12 samples are of no dominant type. SAR (Fig. 5) USSL value ranges from 5.76 mg/L – 30.68 mg/L. Percent sodium value ranges from 64.76 – 94.26. Permeability Index ranges from 33.46 – 99.58. pH values range from 7.71 – 8.61. The value of hardness


Salinity hazard Source : USDA, Agr. Handbook No. 60, Washington DC, USA

Fig. 5 : USSL diagram

\ Source : U.S. Dept. Agri. Circular No 969, USA

Fig. 6 : Wilcox diagram 286

Unsuitable

Doubtful to unsuitable

Good to permissible

Excellent to good

Sodium percent

Electrical conductivity (Micromhos/cm at 25 0C)


Permeability Index (PI) Permeability index has been used as an important parameter for determination of suitability for groundwater in irrigation use (Table 2). It is defined as: Na+ + ГHCO3- X 100 ( meq/L) PI (%) = (Ca2+ + Mg2+ + Na+) Percent sodium Another method for determination of suitability for agricultural use in groundwater by calculating


sodium percentage (Table 3) because sodium concentration reacts with soil to reduce its permeability Todd Percent Sodium is calculated as (Na+ + K+) 100 (meq/L) Percent = Sodium (%) (Ca2+ + Mg2+ + Na+ + K+) Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) To determine the suitability for irrigation use, the sodium or alkali – hazard expressed in terms of Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) was used (Table 4).

Table 2 : Quality of groundwater based on permeability index Water class Class - I

Sample location

Type of water

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23.

Class - II

Very .good water quality >75% of maximum soil permeable. Good water quality 75% of maximum soil permeable.

Class - III

14, 15, 19.

Moderate water quality