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Hydrogeochemical study of shallow carbonate aquifers, Rameswaram Island, India

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 184, pages 4127–4138 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Groundwater quality assessment has been carried out based on physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, CO3, HCO3, Cl, SO4, PO4, NO2, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ and K+) and metal concentration in the Rameswaram Island from 25 bore wells. The Langelier Saturation Index of the groundwater shows positive values (63% samples) with a tendency to deposit the CaCO3 in the majority of water samples. Scatter plot (Ca + Mg/HCO3) suggests carbonate weathering process, which is the main contributor of Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO3 ions to the water. Gibbs diagram suggests rock–water interaction dominance and evaporation dominance which are responsible for the change in the quality of water in the study area. NaCl and mixed CaNaHCO3 facies are two main hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater. Mathematical calculations and graphical plots of geochemical data reveal that the groundwater of Rameswaram Island is influenced by natural weathering of rocks, anthropogenic activities and seawater intrusion due to over exploitation. Weathering and dissolution of carbonate and gypsum minerals also control the concentration of major ions (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ and K+) in the groundwater. The nutrient concentration of groundwater is controlled to a large extent by the fertilizers used in agricultural lands and aquaforms. Comparison of geochemical data shows that majority of the groundwater samples are suitable for drinking water and irrigation purposes.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for providing financial support (grant no. SR/S4/ES-44/2003, dated: 01/11/2004) and senior author KK is thankful to Prof. A. Palavesam, Ramasubburayan, Iyapparaj, Esakkiraj—Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Prakash—Department of Oceanography and Coastal Area studies, Alagappa University, Thondi and Vetrimurugan—Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai for their kind support during the field work and laboratory analysis.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, St. Peters University, Avadi, Chennai, – 600054, Tamilnadu, India

    S. Krishna Kumar

  2. Centre for Geo-Technology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, 627 012, Tamil Nadu, India

    N. Chandrasekar, Prince S. Godson & N. S Magesh

  3. Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682 016, India

    P. Seralathan

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  1. S. Krishna Kumar
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  2. N. Chandrasekar
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  3. P. Seralathan
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  4. Prince S. Godson
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  5. N. S Magesh
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Correspondence to S. Krishna Kumar.

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Krishna Kumar, S., Chandrasekar, N., Seralathan, P. et al. Hydrogeochemical study of shallow carbonate aquifers, Rameswaram Island, India. Environ Monit Assess 184, 4127–4138 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2249-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2249-6

Keywords

  • Groundwater quality assessment
  • Hydrogeochemistry
  • Carbonates aquifers
  • Major ions
  • Heavy metals
  • Rameswaram