Arabian Journal of Geosciences

, Volume 6, Issue 9, pp 3451–3467 | Cite as

Major ion chemistry and identification of hydrogeochemical processes controlling groundwater in and around Neyveli Lignite Mines, Tamil Nadu, South India

  • S. Chidambaram
  • P. Anandhan
  • M. V. Prasanna
  • K. Srinivasamoorthy
  • M. Vasanthavigar
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Groundwater geochemistry was studied in and around the Neyveli lignite mining region of Tamil Nadu, India. Representative groundwater samples (168) were collected from bore wells during June 2004, October 2004, January 2005, and March 2005 to broadly cover seasonal variation. Higher electrical conductivity values were observed in the southeastern and southwestern part of the study area. During the southwest monsoon (June) and postmonsoon (January) seasons, bicarbonate + chloride dominated the anions, with few representations for sulphate. Sodium + potassium were the dominant cations in all the seasons except in summer (March). The data reveals that the region is a complex hydrogeochemical system with proportional interplay of ions from leaching of ions, ion exchange, agricultural return flow, and stagnant waters. The influence of mine waters and weathering of minerals varies according to the season and spatial distribution of the sources. The water quality can be used for drinking and irrigation, except in a few locations.

Keywords

Groundwater Hydrogeochemistry Neyveli lignite mines Water–rock interaction Water quality 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, India for their help with sample analysis.

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Copyright information

© Saudi Society for Geosciences 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • S. Chidambaram
    • 1
  • P. Anandhan
    • 1
  • M. V. Prasanna
    • 2
  • K. Srinivasamoorthy
    • 3
  • M. Vasanthavigar
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of Earth SciencesAnnamalai UniversityTamil NaduIndia
  2. 2.Department of Applied GeologySchool of Engineering and Science, Curtin UniversityMiriMalaysia
  3. 3.Department of Earth SciencesSchool of Physical, Chemical and Applied Sciences, Pondicherry UniversityPuducherryIndia
  4. 4.Department of Civil EngineeringAdhiparasakthi College of EngineeringKanchipuram (DT)India

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