Geochemical Characterization and Water Quality Assessment of Groundwater in Arani Taluk of Tamil Nadu, South India

The significant geochemical characteristics of the groundwater quality assessment including the impact of monsoon variation of chemical composition of groundwater were determined. 44 groundwater samples were collected in the Arani Taluk of South India and all important physico-chemical parameters including trace metals were determined to characterize and evaluate the hydrogeochemical nature and water quality. In order to evaluate the geochemical characteristics, the order of abundance of the ions in the groundwater is determined for both seasons. In this study, Gibb’s diagram is used to evaluate the mechanism responsible for the change in the chemical composition of groundwater. The unique characteristic of the groundwater has been brought out using the inter-relationship among the principal ions. Utilizing the application of 1 : 1 equiline diagrams, hydrochemical features of the physico-chemical parameters pertaining to the groundwater were evaluated. Reverse ion-exchange study and Chloro-alkaline indices were carried out to evaluate the occurrence of ion-exchange/reverse ion-exchange in the groundwater of the region. The suitability of groundwater to irrigation is studied in detail using various ratios’ including Residual sodium carbonate, SAR and Wilcox and USSL diagrams. The results clearly illustrates that the groundwater of the study area is suitable for irrigation. Water quality studies with respect to trace metals have been carried out and the results show that the water has higher concentration of heavy metals and the results of Heavy metal pollution index also substantiates the fact and many groundwater samples found to show higher values than the allowed limit with respect to heavy metal contamination.