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Spatial interpolation methods and geostatistics for mapping groundwater contamination in a coastal area

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Abstract

Mapping groundwater contaminants and identifying the sources are the initial steps in pollution control and mitigation. Due to the availability of different mapping methods and the large number of emerging pollutants, these methods need to be used together in decision making. The present study aims to map the contaminated areas in Richards Bay, South Africa and compare the results of ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation techniques. Statistical methods were also used for identifying contamination sources. Na–Cl groundwater type was dominant followed by Ca–Mg–Cl. Data analysis indicate that silicate weathering, ion exchange and fresh water–seawater mixing are the major geochemical processes controlling the presence of major ions in groundwater. Factor analysis also helped to confirm the results. Overlay analysis by OK and IDW gave different results. Areas where groundwater was unsuitable as a drinking source were 419 and 116 km2 for OK and IDW, respectively. Such diverse results make decision making difficult, if only one method was to be used. Three highly contaminated zones within the study area were more accurately identified by OK. If large areas are identified as being contaminated such as by IDW in this study, the mitigation measures will be expensive. If these areas were underestimated, then even though management measures are taken, it will not be effective for a longer time. Use of multiple techniques like this study will help to avoid taking harsh decisions. Overall, the groundwater quality in this area was poor, and it is essential to identify alternate drinking water source or treat the groundwater before ingestion.

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Acknowledgements

Authors from the University of Zululand thank their University’s Department of Research and Innovation for financial assistance (Grant S721/15), the Department of Agriculture for assitance in chemical analysis and  the Department of Hydrology for their extended support in successful completion of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydrology, University of Zululand, Kwa Dlangezwa, 3886, South Africa

    Vetrimurugan Elumalai & Bongani Sithole

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore

    K. Brindha

  3. Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, India

    Elango Lakshmanan

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  1. Vetrimurugan Elumalai
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Elumalai, V., Brindha, K., Sithole, B. et al. Spatial interpolation methods and geostatistics for mapping groundwater contamination in a coastal area. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 11601–11617 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8681-6

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