Appraisal of hydrogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in Bhavani taluk Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India

• Published in: Arabian journal of geosciences 2021-07, Vol.14 (13), Article 1228
• Main Authors: Bari, Jabar Abdul, Vennila, Govindasamy, Karthikeyan, Perumal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anions; Anthropogenic factors; Calcium; Cations; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; Dissolution; Dissolving; Drinking water; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth science; Earth Sciences; Effluents; Evaporation; Factor analysis; Fertilizers; Geographical information systems; Groundwater; Groundwater chemistry; Groundwater quality; Human influences; Hydrogeochemistry; Interpolation; Ion exchange; Physical properties; Recent advanced techniques in water resources management; S. I. – CEC Framework; Silicates; Utilities; Water analysis; Water quality; Water sampling
• ISSN: 1866-7511; 1866-7538
• DOI: 10.1007/s12517-021-07516-2

An attempt has been made in the Bhavani taluk, Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India, to characterize the hydrogeochemical processes, sources, mechanisms, and influences on the groundwater chemistry along with the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. A total of 53 groundwater samples were collected during the post-monsoon season and analyzed for physical parameters, major cations, and anions. From the results, the silicate weathering, mineral dissolution, and direct and reverse ion exchange processes are dominant followed by anthropogenic sources. The Piper plots indicate the hydrochemical facies from Ca-HCO 3 to mixed Ca, Mg-Cl, and Na-Cl types. The Durov plot represents that the ionic exchange and simple mineral dissolution are dominant. Gibbs plot suggests that the rock water interaction is dominant and followed by minor evaporation processes. Correlation coefficient and factor analysis suggest the influence of fertilizers and other anthropogenic sources. A significant number of samples exceeds the WHO 2017 drinking water standard. The interpolation techniques were used in GIS for selective ions, and the groundwater quality zone has been identified. According to the integration result, 423.10 km 2 represents good for drinking, and 155.70 km 2 and 63.18 km 2 were representing moderate and poor types, respectively. The study indicates that the moderate and poor zones are more vulnerable for drinking utilities. Hence, it needs another alternative like filtration, treatment, and decreases of mixing of waste effluents in the study area.