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Influence of hydrogeochemical processes on temporal changes in groundwater quality in a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India

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Abstract

Geochemical processes that take place in the aquifer have played a major role in spatial and temporal variations of groundwater quality. This study was carried out with an objective of identifying the hydrogeochemical processes that controls the groundwater quality in a weathered hard rock aquifer in a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Groundwater samples were collected from 45 wells once every 2 months from March 2008 to September 2009. Chemical parameters of groundwater such as groundwater level, EC and pH were measured insitu. The major ion concentrations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, and SO4 2− were analyzed using ion chromatograph. CO3 − and HCO3 − concentration was determined by acid–base titration. The abundance of major cation concentration in groundwater is as Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ while that of anions is HCO3 − > SO4 2− > Cl− > CO3 −. Ca–HCO3, Na–Cl, Ca–Na–HCO3 and Ca–Mg–Cl are the dominant groundwater types in this area. Relation between temporal variation in groundwater level and saturation index of minerals reveals the evaporation process. The ion-exchange process controls the concentration of ions such as calcium, magnesium and sodium. The ionic ratio of Ca/Mg explains the contribution of calcite and dolomite to groundwater. In general, the geochemical processes and temporal variation of groundwater in this area are influenced by evaporation processes, ion exchange and dissolution of minerals.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India (Grant No. 2007/36/35) for their financial support. Thanks are due to Atomic Mineral Division for providing the litholog numbers, YLR 31 and YLR 14. The Department of Science and Technology’s Funds for Improvement in Science and Technology scheme (Grant No. SR/FST/ESI-106/2010) and University Grants Commission’s Special Assistance Programme (Grant No. UGC DRS II F.550/10/DRS/2007(SAP-1)) are also acknowledged as the analytical facilities created from these funds were used to carry out part of this work.

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  1. Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, India

    R. Rajesh, K. Brindha, R. Murugan & L. Elango

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  1. R. Rajesh
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  2. K. Brindha
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  3. R. Murugan
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  4. L. Elango
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Correspondence to L. Elango.

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Rajesh, R., Brindha, K., Murugan, R. et al. Influence of hydrogeochemical processes on temporal changes in groundwater quality in a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ Earth Sci 65, 1203–1213 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1368-2

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