Groundwater quality assessment using multivariate statistical approach and geospatial modelling around cement industrial corridor, South India

The current study emphasizes on seasonal hydrogeochemistry, appraisal of groundwater quality for drinking purposes, as well as forms explanation with water quality index studies conducted with geospatial modeling. For this study, total eighty groundwater samples were collected from Yerraguntla, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, during pre-monsoon season of 2019 and post-monsoon season of 2018. The physiochemical examination of groundwater is measured and compared to World Health organization (WHO) standards. The pH ranges were potable decipher. The groundwater is alkaline and hard. Analytical results divulge that the electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), sodium (Na + ), potassium (K + ), carbonates (CO 3 2− ), bicarbonates (HCO 3 − ), chlorides (Cl − ), sulfates (SO 4 2− ), nitrates (NO 3 − ), and fluorides (F − ) of groundwater samples were exceeding the standards of WHO. Correlation and R-mode factor results are offered to investigate the parameters that control groundwater chemical changes. The most essential parameters, according to the R mode factor analysis, are EC, TDS, TH, Mg 2+ , Na + , Ca 2+ , Cl − , HCO 3 − , NO 3 − , and F − . During the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, most groundwater samples drop into the poor to very poor water class for drinking practices, as per the Water Quality Index and the geochemistry is governed by water–rock interaction and extensive chemical weathering.