Geophysical and hydrochemical studies for sustainable development of groundwater resources in northwestern part of Telangana State, India

• Published in: Journal of Earth System Science 2020-12, Vol.129 (1), p.202, Article 202
• Main Authors: Gugulothu, Sakram, Dhakate, Ratnakar, Sreedhar, K, Ramesh, A, Saxena, Praveen Raj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquifers; Basalt; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geophysics; Groundwater; Groundwater potential; Groundwater quality; Groundwater resources; Hydrochemicals; Ion chemistry; Lead; Metals; Overburden; Permeability; Potassium; Quality assessment; Quality standards; Rocks; Soundings; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Tomography; Topography; Topsoil; Trace elements; Water analysis; Water quality; Water resources; Water sampling; Weathering; Weathering zone; Zinc
• ISSN: 2347-4327; 0253-4126; 0973-774X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12040-020-01452-7

Studies have been carried out to assess groundwater potential using geophysical analysis and water quality indices in parts of Nyalkal and Zaheerabad Mandal, Medak District, Telangana State. As a part of the study, 50 groundwater samples were collected and 103 Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) had been carried out. The water quality was assessed with respect to various major ion chemistry and trace elements. It is found that major ions and trace elements are within the permissible limits, except Al, Pb, and Zn metals, which slightly exceeded beyond permissible limits. However, the results of VES reveal that in some parts of the study area, the resistivity range for topsoil (26.61–930 Ωm), lateritic zone (453–738 Ωm), clayey/sandy clay layer (4.71–94.2 Ωm), weathered/fractured bedrock (60.5–928 Ωm) and weathered/vesicular/massive basalt (8.05–676 Ωm) are found with the formation of thick overburden and fractured basement. It is also found that the groundwater prospects are moderate to high depending on the extent of the weathering zone. Research Highlights Geophysical investigations were carried out to decipher the aquifer geometry and potential zones. Groundwater quality for major and trace elements were carried out and compare with WHO standards. An integrated analysis was made for sustainable development of groundwater resources.