Salinity in the Ground Water of the Purna Basin-Its Genesis

Major element chemistry of the saline and the non-saline waters occurring between Popat-Khed and north of Akola indicate that the saline/fresh water contact is quite sharp and the saline waters are significantly restricted to the sandy aquifers inter-layered by clay beds, creating quasi-confined condition.

The ratios of major anions and cations of the saline waters are not comparable to those of sea-water. The plots of the major cations versus chloride are quite scattered and do not indicate any trend similar to their evaporite curves.

In view of the high 'Na/(Ca+Mg)' ratio, negative indices of base exchange and high SiO₂-content of these waters, it is contended that these saline waters are nothing but diagenetically altered meteoric water having a long residence time.