Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Domestic and Irrigation Suitability from Upper Bhima Basin, Western India: A Hydro-geochemical Perspective

Major ion constituents present in groundwater are studied for shallow unconfined basaltic aquifer in order to understand the quality of groundwater resources and its impacts on inhabitants and irrigation. 30 groundwater samples collected from dug wells located in upper Bhima basin were analyzed to measure major cations and anions for establishing water quality index (WQI) and irrigation indices. The concentration of pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, total dissolved solids and major cations and anions were analyzed. Groundwater types were detected using Piper’s trilinear diagram as Ca2+-HCO3−, Ca2+-Na+-HCO3−, mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl− and Ca2+-Cl− groups. High concentration (8 to 194 mg/L) of nitrate was found at some locations in the region. WQI shows 66% of the samples to be unfit for drinking purposes due to high nitrate content mostly introduced because of the anthropogenic activities. Suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes was determined using of Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Kelly Ratio (KR), Magnesium Hazard (MH), Sodium (%) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC). Groundwater in the region is suitable for irrigation.

Recharge of natural mineral water Jingyu County, northeastern China

A light stable isotope investigation of the source of natural mineral water in Jingyu County indicates an origin predominantly from atmospheric precipitation. As water-rock interaction occurs in the runoff process, SiO2 in the basaltic aquifer is dissolved, forming a metasilicate-type mineral water. The average residence time of natural mineral water in the stratum is 20 to 56 years.