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

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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.

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Acknowledgments

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

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608002, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Chidambaram & P. Anandhan

  2. Department of Applied Geology, School of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Sarawak Campus, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

    M. V. Prasanna

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, School of Physical, Chemical and Applied Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India

    K. Srinivasamoorthy

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, Adhiparasakthi College of Engineering, Melmaruvathur - 603 319, Kanchipuram (DT), Tamil Nadu, India

    M. Vasanthavigar

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  1. S. Chidambaram
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  2. P. Anandhan
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  3. M. V. Prasanna
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  4. K. Srinivasamoorthy
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  5. M. Vasanthavigar
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Correspondence to M. V. Prasanna.

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Chidambaram, S., Anandhan, P., Prasanna, M.V. et al. Major ion chemistry and identification of hydrogeochemical processes controlling groundwater in and around Neyveli Lignite Mines, Tamil Nadu, South India. Arab J Geosci 6, 3451–3467 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0589-3

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