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Electrical resistivity and hydrochemical indicators distinguishing chemical characteristics of subsurface pollution at Cuddalore coast, Tamil Nadu

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Electrical resistivity methods are applied extensively for shallow sub-surface objectives but it has constraints in distinguishing the chemical characteristics of the medium. However, this complexity can be resolved by integrated investigations where geophysical anomaly would be validated with hydro-geochemical data. The present study highlights the notable importance of integrated geophysical and hydrogeological investigations in demarcating sub-surface pollution due to saline water intrusion and industrial effluents at Cuddalore coast in India. Geophysical scanning encompassing a total of 35 vertical electrical sounding (VES) were validated with drilling lithologs, water level and water quality parameters from a network of 125 observation wells at a test site of 17 km2. To understand the spatial variation of sub-surface contamination, two profiles of apparent resistivity sections were generated covering VES points parallel to the coast. Results revealed that, the low order of resistivity range 3 to 10 Ω-m (up to 30–40 m depth) and total dissolved solids range 2000 to 10,000 mg/l of groundwater reflects sub-surface contamination but cannot distinguish kind of salinity which is further verified by chemical analysis of Ca2+ (1200–2041 mg/l), SO4 2− (3000–9480 mg/l) which confirms the gypsum pollution and Na+ (750–1000 mg/l), Cl− (1000–2000 mg/l) designate the marine water contamination. Further, static groundwater head measurements demarcate the study area into above mean sea level (MSL) and below MSL zones. This study has provided a rapid and comprehensive picture about spatial variations of groundwater contamination which can help in planning, protection and safe management of coastal aquifers in India and worldwide.

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    Sahebrao Sonkamble

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Sonkamble, S. Electrical resistivity and hydrochemical indicators distinguishing chemical characteristics of subsurface pollution at Cuddalore coast, Tamil Nadu. J Geol Soc India 83, 535–548 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-014-0081-7

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