Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

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Spatial Evaluation of Groundwater Quality in Kazhakuttam Block, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala


Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India
2 Geological Survey of India, India
     

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The groundwater in the study area generally shows an acidic trend as evidenced by the low pH values, particularly in lateritic aquifers. Spatial assessment indicates that the southern part of the coastal aquifers shows elevated pollution levels during post monsoon season. Most of the groundwater is of Na-Cl facies in post monsoon and which slightly changes to Na-Mg-Cl facies during pre monsoon. Inter relationship between chemical parameters were also studied to understand the groundwater facies. Salinity hazard, percentage of sodium, SAR, integrated SAR and EC and RSC, were considered for judging the usefulness of groundwater for irrigation. Landuse map was prepared and water sample locations were superimposed on it, in a GIS platform, to assess the variation in water quality in different landuse classes. The outcome of the present study indicates that the concentration of certain parameters exceeds the recommended limits and hence mitigation measures are needed to be adopted to ensure safe drinking water.

Keywords

Groundwater Chemistry, Land Use, Pollution, Spatial and Temporal Changes, Kazhakuttam Block, Kerala.
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  • Spatial Evaluation of Groundwater Quality in Kazhakuttam Block, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

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Authors

R. B. Binoj Kumar
Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India
M. P. Divya
Geological Survey of India, India

Abstract


The groundwater in the study area generally shows an acidic trend as evidenced by the low pH values, particularly in lateritic aquifers. Spatial assessment indicates that the southern part of the coastal aquifers shows elevated pollution levels during post monsoon season. Most of the groundwater is of Na-Cl facies in post monsoon and which slightly changes to Na-Mg-Cl facies during pre monsoon. Inter relationship between chemical parameters were also studied to understand the groundwater facies. Salinity hazard, percentage of sodium, SAR, integrated SAR and EC and RSC, were considered for judging the usefulness of groundwater for irrigation. Landuse map was prepared and water sample locations were superimposed on it, in a GIS platform, to assess the variation in water quality in different landuse classes. The outcome of the present study indicates that the concentration of certain parameters exceeds the recommended limits and hence mitigation measures are needed to be adopted to ensure safe drinking water.

Keywords


Groundwater Chemistry, Land Use, Pollution, Spatial and Temporal Changes, Kazhakuttam Block, Kerala.

References