Abstract
The role of groundwater in irrigation and drinking purposes and sustaining growth in economy is well-known. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to contamination and pollution when compared to surface water bodies. This paper is based on extensive investigations on the spatial and seasonal representative measurement of chemical parameters from 80 dug wells of Churu and adjoining Bikaner districts of Rajasthan, India. The region has dearth of water resources — both surface and sub-surface, with the main source of water being the dug wells. The application of hydro-statistical techniques and tools like Pearson’s correlation coefficient, relative activity of sodium ion (SAR), Wilcox diagram, Piper diagram and magnesium hazard indicate that the chemical parameters of the water of the study region is of very poor quality and not suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. Wilcox diagram shows high sodium content, can destroy the soil structure rendering the soil and water unsuitable.
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Acknowledgement
The authors are indebted to ICSSR for financial assistance through MRP entitled “Application of Geo-Informatics for Sustainable Development of Environmental Resources in a Semi-Arid Region of India”. The authors wish to thank Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Ground Water Board, Rajasthan for ground water data received. The authors also wish to acknowledge the editors of the present journal for their timely and resourceful insights into the paper for making it more informative.
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Kumar, J., Biswas, B. & Verghese, S. Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Irrigation Purpose using Geospatial and Statistical techniques in a Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan, India. J Geol Soc India 97, 416–427 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1699-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1699-x