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Identification of Recharge Processes in Groundwater in Hard Rock Aquifers of Madurai District Using Stable Isotopes

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Abstract

Stable isotopes of H and O are the integral parts of water molecule and serve as ideal tracers to understand the recharge processes in groundwater. Hence, a study has been conducted in hard rock aquifers of Madurai District of Tamilnadu to identify the recharge processes using stable isotopes. A total of 54 groundwater samples were collected representing the entire district from various lithounits during post monsoon. Samples were analysed for pH, EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl− HCO3 −, SO4 2−, PO4 3−, H4SiO4, F−, δ18O and δD. Cl− and HCO3 − were the dominant ions in groundwater samples. Average values of Cl− and HCO3 − ranged from 247 and 244 mg/L in fissile hornblende biotite gneiss, 262 and 268 mg/L in Charnockite, 75 and 185 mg/L in quartzite, 323 and 305 mg/L in granite, 524 and 253 mg/L in floodplain alluvium rock types. Geochemical signatures of groundwater were used to identify the chemical processes that control hydrogeochemistry. Interpretation of δ18O and δD indicates recharge from the meteoric water in charnockite, quartzite, granite and some samples of fissile hornblende biotite gneiss. It is also inferred that recharge take place from evaporated water in floodplain alluvium and fissile hornblende biotite gneiss.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their thanks to University Grants Commission (UGC), India, for providing the necessary financial support to carry out this study with vide reference to UGC letter No. F: 39-143/2010 (SR) dated 27.12.2010. The authors are also grateful to the editor and anonymous referees for their constructive comments and suggestions, which led to significant improvements to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    C. Thivya, S. Chidambaram, R. Thilagavathi & M. Nepolian

  2. National institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, India

    M. S. Rao & M. Gopalakrishnan

  3. Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

    M. V. Prasanna

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  1. C. Thivya
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Correspondence to M. V. Prasanna.

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Thivya, C., Chidambaram, S., Rao, M.S. et al. Identification of Recharge Processes in Groundwater in Hard Rock Aquifers of Madurai District Using Stable Isotopes. Environ. Process. 3, 463–477 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-016-0137-3

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