Document Type : High quality original papers
Authors
1
Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, India
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, India
3
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
4
Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Solamalai College of Engineering, Madurai, India
Abstract
Groundwater has been the primary source for drinking and irrigation in Madurai North Taluk for several decades. This study evaluates its quality over a 15-year period (2008–2022) to determine its suitability for these purposes. Groundwater samples were collected from 22 locations during both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The Water Quality Index (WQI) analysis indicates that groundwater quality ranges from poor to unsuitable for drinking, with significant seasonal variations. Elevated levels of Electrical Conductivity (EC), chloride, sodium, and calcium in both seasons suggest progressive water quality deterioration, primarily due to rock-water interactions involving gypsum and salt-bearing formations. For irrigation suitability, key parameters such as Kelly’s Ratio (KR), Magnesium Hazard (MH), Potential Salinity (PS), Permeability Index (PI), and Corrosivity Ratio (CR) were assessed. The findings indicate that most groundwater samples are unsuitable for irrigation due to high salinity, increased magnesium content, and low permeability. Post-monsoon samples generally exhibited improved quality for both drinking and irrigation compared to pre-monsoon samples. Hydrochemical analysis, including the Durov diagram, identified ion exchange and mineral dissolution as dominant processes affecting groundwater composition. Statistical correlation analysis over the study period revealed strong positive relationships among salinity indicators such as chloride, sodium, sulphate, and EC, indicating a common source of contamination.
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