Abstract
The groundwater in the study area generally shows an acidic trend as evidenced by the low pH values, particularly in lateritic aquifers. Spatial assessment indicates that the southern part of the coastal aquifers shows elevated pollution levels during post monsoon season. Most of the groundwater is of Na-Cl facies in post monsoon and which slightly changes to Na-Mg-Cl facies during pre monsoon. Inter relationship between chemical parameters were also studied to understand the groundwater facies. Salinity hazard, percentage of sodium, SAR, integrated SAR and EC and RSC, were considered for judging the usefulness of groundwater for irrigation. Landuse map was prepared and water sample locations were superimposed on it, in a GIS platform, to assess the variation in water quality in different landuse classes. The outcome of the present study indicates that the concentration of certain parameters exceeds the recommended limits and hence mitigation measures are needed to be adopted to ensure safe drinking water.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
APHA (1995) Standard methods for examination of water and waste water 19th edn. Washington DC. American public Health association.
Back, W. (1966) Hydrohemical facies and groundwater flow patterns in the northern part of the Atlantic coastal plain, USGS prof. Paper 498-A.
BIS (1991) Indian standard specification for drinking water, Bureau of Indian standards, New Delhi
Doneen, L.D. (1962) The influence of crop and soil on percolating water. Proc. 1961 Biennial Conference on Groundwater Recharge, pp.156–163.
Douglas, E.B. and Leo, W.N. (1977) Hydro geochemical relationship using partial correlation coefficient. Water Resource Bull., v.13, pp.843–846.
Piper, A.M. (1953) A graphic procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water analysis. USGS Groundwater Note no.12, 63 p.
Sami, K. (1992) Recharge mechanism and geochemical process in semi-arid sedimentary basins, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Jour. Hydro., pp.27–48.
Manjusree, T.M, Sabu Joseph and Jobin Thomas (2009) Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality in the coastal sandy clay aquifers of Alappuzha district, Kerala.
Mercado, A. (1985) The use of Hydro chemical pattern in carbonate, sand and sandstone aquifer to identify intrusion and flushing of saline water, Groundwater, v.23, pp.335–344.
Todd, D.K. (2001) Groundwater Hydrology. John Wiley and Sons Publication, Canada, pp.280–281.
Trivedy, R.K. and Goel, P.K. (1986) Chemical and Biological methods for water pollution studies, Environmental Publications, Karad, 248p
Raghunath, H.M. (1987) Groundwater. Wiley Eastern Ltd. Delhi, India. 563p.
Richard, L.A. (1954) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. US department of Agriculture Handbook, pp.60.
Janardhana Raju, N., Prahlad Rao and Sangita Q. Dey (2009), groundwater quality in the lower Varuna River basin, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.73, pp.178–192.
Saleh, A. Al-ruwah, F. and Shehata, M. (1999) Hydrogeochemical process operating within the main Aquifers of Kuwait. Jour. Arid Environ., v.42. pp.195–209.
Gagannadha Rao, M. and et al. (2007) Spatial variability of Groundwater Chemical Quality in part of Nalgonda district, Andra Pradesh. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.69, pp.983–988.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Binoj Kumar, R.B., Divya, M.P. Spatial evaluation of groundwater quality in Kazhakuttam block, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. J Geol Soc India 80, 48–56 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0117-9
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0117-9