International Journal of Chemical Studies 2019; 7(3): 2834-2838

P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 IJCS 2019; 7(3): 2834-2838 Assessment of groundwater quality and mapping © 2019 IJCS Received: 16-03-2019 in coastal blocks of district, Tamil Accepted: 18-04-2019 Nadu Mohamed Ansari Raja A Department of Soil science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mohamed Ansari Raja A, Gomadhi G, Balasubramaniam P, ADAC&RI, TNAU, Trichy, Somasundaram S and Ragunath Kaliaperumal ,

Gomadhi G Abstract Assistant Professor, Department Block wise categorization of groundwater quality in coastal region of was of Soil Science and Agricultural undertaken during November 2018 for its optimal usage. A total of 82 ground water samples representing Chemistry, ADAC&RI, TNAU, different coastal blocks viz., Ottapidaram (12 samples), Thoothukudi (10 samples), Srivaikuntam (8 Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India samples), Alwarthirunagari (14 samples), Thiruchendur (17 samples), Udangudi (13 samples), (7 samples) were collected, analyzed for quality parameter and categorized into different Balasubramaniam P water quality as per the standard procedure. The investigation revealed that groundwater samples with Department of Soil Science and respect to pH and EC ranged from 6.90 to 8.87 and 0.13 to 11.9 dS m-1 respectively. Residual Sodium Agricultural Chemistry, Carbonate (RSC) varied from Nil to 18.00 meq L-1 and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) ranged from ADAC&RI, TNAU, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India 0.01 and 31.71 based on the CSSRI, Karnal water quality classification. The good quality water distribution in different blocks of Thoothukudi district were in the order of Ottapidaram (84.6 %), Somasundaram S Srivaikuntam (75%), Alwarthirunagari (71.4%), Vilathikulam (57.1%), Thiruchendur (52.9%), Udangudi Department of Soil Science and (46.1%), Thoothukudi (30%). Overall in Thoothukudi district, 59.58 per cent of groundwater samples Agricultural Chemistry, were in good quality, Saline water (28.75%) distributed in the blocks of Ottapidaram, Alwarthirunagari, ADAC&RI, TNAU, Trichy, Thiruchendur, Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi, Vilathikulam and Udangudi. Alkali water found in Tamil Nadu, India Ottapidaram, Thoothukudi, Alwarthirunagari, Thiruchendur block to the extent of 11.64 per cent.

Ragunath Kaliaperumal Keywords: Groundwater quality, Thoothukudi district, SAR and RSC Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Introduction 2 0 ’ Thoothukudi district has an area of 4590.54 km , it lies between 8 19 00” North Latitude and 78040’00” East Longitude. It has a coastal line about 121 kilometres. The major basin is Thamirabarani. Vaippar and Karamaniyar are the major river draining the area which are ephemeral in nature. Thamirabarani is only one main river flowing in the district from West to

East direction. It is the main source of irrigation in the district. In Thoothukudi district, paddy is the main food crop in more than 43% of the net area sown (Central Ground water Board, 2009) [1]. As reported by Gupta (2008) [2], 70 and 80% of India’s irrigation and domestic water supplies come from groundwater rather than from surface water. Degradation of groundwater quality in coastal region generally occurs due to natural processes such as saline water

intrusion, wind driven sea spray and marine aerosols deposited on the topsoil, evaporation, and [3] interaction of groundwater with brines and sedimentary formations (Polemio et al. 2006) . Due to groundwater scarcity and limited fresh water availability in sedimentary areas as floating lenses makes the coastal tract vulnerable for water quality changes. Since, land and water use are closely intertwined groundwater quality plays an important role in crop

production programme. Hence, the present investigation is carried out for assessment and mapping of groundwater quality in coastal blocks of Thoothukudi district.

Materials and Methods Totally 82 groundwater samples were collected based on grid survey by GPS (Global

Correspondence Positioning System) during November 2018 which cover the 7 coastal blocks of Thoothukudi Gomadhi G district. The collected samples were stored in airtight bottles. The ground water samples were Assistant Professor, Department analyzed for pH, Electrical Conductivity, major cations viz., Ca2+ and Mg2+ by Versenate + + 2- - - of Soil Science and Agricultural method and K and Na by Flame photometry, anions like CO3 , HCO3 , Cl by Titrimetry, Chemistry, ADAC&RI, TNAU, 2- SO4 by Turbimetric as per standard methods outlined by Richards (1954). Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India ~ 2834 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies

Quality parameters like Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) Screening of groundwater samples for their suitability to and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) were calculated as per irrigation is done on the basis of EC, Residual Sodium the formula depited as under. Carbonate and Sodium Adsorption Ratio values as suggested by Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal SAR = Na+ / √ (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/2 (Table 1) and thematic map of different water quality 2- - 2+ 2+ RSC = (CO3 + HCO3 ) – (Ca Mg ) parameters in Thoothukudi district was prepared by using Arc GIS software 10.1.

Table 1: Grouping of low-quality ground waters for irrigation in India

-1 Water quality ECiw (dS/m) SARiw (m mol/L) RSC (meq L ) A. Good <2 <10 <2.5 B. Saline i. Marginal saline 2-4 <10 <2.5 ii. Saline >4 <10 <2.5 iii. High-SAR saline >4 >10 <2.5 C. Alkali water i. Marginally alkali <4 <10 2.5-4.0 ii. Alkali <4 <10 >4.0 iii. High alkali Variable >10 >4.0 The toxic water has variable salinity, SAR and RSC but has excess of specific ions such as chloride, D. Toxic water sodium, nitrate, boron, fluoride or heavy metals such as selenium, cadmium, lead and arsenic etc.

Result and discussion mean value of 5.61 meq L-1. Sodium concentration ranged Electrochemical properties from 0.01 to 106.02 meq L-1 with mean value of 14.5 meq L-1. The result of the study in Table 3 indicated that the pH of the Ramprakash et al. (2013) [5] also reported higher groundwater collected from coastal blocks in Thoothukudi concentration sodium than other cations in underground water district ranged from 6.90 to 8.18 with the mean of 7.60 of Beri block of Jhajjar district in Haryana. Potassium content indicating no potential alkali hazard upon use of these ranged from 0.00 to 10.77 with mean value of 0.87 meqL- underground water for irrigation. Singhal and Gupta (2010) [4] 1(Table 3). observed that the increase in total dissolved solids (TDS) or electrical conductivity (EC) is a common simple indicator to Water quality parameter identify an increase in salinity. Electrical conductivity of Computation of SAR value provides a useful index of the groundwater ranged from 0.13 to 11.9 dS m-1 with mean of sodium hazard when applied to soils as well as crop 2.55 indicating 62.6 per cent of water samples in Ottapidaram, (Ramprakash et al., 2013) [5]. The RSC value in the water Srivaikuntam, Alwarthirunagari, Thiruchendur, Vilathikulam sample ranged from Nil to 18.00 meq L-1 with mean RSC blocks and were found to be non-saline (EC < 2.0 dS m-1). value of -4.98 meq L-1. The SAR value ranged from 0.01 to whereas, 13.9 per cent of water samples under marginally 37.02 with mean SAR value of 5.92. However, the mean SAR saline (EC 2 - 4 dS m-1) and 23.5 per cent of water samples and RSC values in all the blocks except Vilathikulam were are saline (EC >4.0 dS m-1) respectively. less than 10 and 2.5 meqL-1, respectively which are not harmful as far as alkalinity/sodicity development in the soil Anionic constituents of groundwater upon irrigation can be considered (Table 3). The anions constituents of groundwater samples in The spatial distribution of different quality parameters of - - Thoothukudi district followed in the order of Cl > HCO3 > groundwater in coastal blocks of Thoothukudi district are 2- 2- CO3 > SO4 . Among the anionic constituents, Chloride was presented in (Figure 2a & 2b). The results revealed that found to be a dominant anion and ranged from 2.00 to 108.00 among the distribution of water samples in different quality meq L-1 with mean of 20.2 meq L-1. The mean chloride classes, the good quality water was found in seven coastal contents of water (Table 3) were higher than 3.0 meq L-1 in all blocks viz., Ottapidaram blocks had the highest percent (84.6) the blocks. The same result was also reported by Ramprakash of good quality groundwater samples followed by et al. (2013) [5] in the groundwater of Beri block of Jhajjar Srivaikuntam (75%), Alwarthirunagari (71.4%), Vilathikulam district in Haryana. The carbonate content of groundwater (57.1%), Thiruchendur (52.9%), Udangudi (46.1%) and the ranged from 0.00 to 16.00 meq L-1 with the mean of 0.94 meq least percent good quality water in Thoothukudi blocks L-1. Bicarbonate content ranged from 1.00 to 21.00 meq L-1 (30%). As far as the levels of problematic waters are with mean of 4.98 meq L-1. Sulphate content ranged from considered in Thoothukudi district, high saline water recorded 0.00 to 37.02 meq L-1with mean value of 0.37 meq L-1. With highest in Vilathikulam blocks (42.9%) followed by predominance of Cl- ions have been shown to be more toxic Udangudi (15.4%), Thiruchendur (11.7%). The marginal 2- as compared to SO4 ions because of reduced osmotic effects saline water was found highest in Alwarthirunagari (14.2%) 2- of SO4 ions as of ion pair formation and lesser solubility of followed by Srivaikuntam (12.5%), Thoothukudi (10%), 2- [6] SO4 salts (Minhas et al., 1998) (Table 3). Ottapidaram (7.7%), Udangudi (7.7%). The saline water was found highest in Udangudi (30.8%) followed by Thoothukudi Cationic constituents of groundwater (30%), Srivaikuntam (12.5%), Thiruchendur (5.9%). The high Among the cationic constituents, generally sodium was found alkali water was found highest in Thiruchendur (23.6%) to be dominant ion followed by Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+. With followed by Thoothukudi (10%), Alwarthirunagari (7.2%). respect to ionic composition, calcium content ranged from The Alkali water was found in only one coastal block of 1.20 to 58 meq L-1 with mean value of 5.30 meq L-1. Thoothukudi (20%) and the marginal alkali water was found Magnesium content ranged from 0.4 to 33.2 meq L-1 with highest in Ottapidaram blocks (7.7%) followed by

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Alwarthirunagari (7.2%), Thiruchendur (5.9%) (Table 2) & may hinder the movement of air and water by clogging the (Fig 1). soil pores and deteriorate the physical condition of soil. Based on their criteria suggested by U.S salinity laboratory staff (1954), Manchanda (1976) [7] classified the water quality Conclusion and found that the water falling under category “good” can be Based on the result of present investigation, it could be used safely for almost all the crops, whereas, water which is concluded that Thoothukudi district has about 59.58% of marginally saline can be used for pearl millet and mustard good quality water for irrigation purpose in different coastal crops in area having coarse textured soil. Also the ground blocks of Thoothukudi district. Among the different water rated as marginally alkali (RSC 2.5-4.0) can be used categories of water quality in Thoothukudi district, effectively with gypsum application for mustard and pearl Thoothukudi block had higher percentage (70%) of poor- millet crops. The groundwater rated as saline, high- SAR quality water of different nature followed by Udangudi saline, alkali and highly alkali are unfit for irrigation and their (53.9%), Thiruchendur (47.1%) and Vilathikulam (42.9%) indiscriminate use will cause secondary salinization and blocks. Overall samples analysed in different blocks, 41per sodication to the extent that growth of the crop may be cent of ground water samples were of problematic in different severely affected. Continuous use of waters having RSC more nature. Therefore, their effective utilization further demands than 2.5 meqL-1 is expected to build up excessive sodium periodical monitoring, understanding seasonal distribution of saturation in soil solution and on exchange complex which rainfall, soil type, crop, water and nutrient management practices for their sustained use in agriculture.

Table 2: Water quality distribution (%) in coastal blocks of Thoothukudi district

S. No Block No. of samples Good MS Saline HSS MA Alkali HA 1 Ottapidaram 13 84.6 7.7 - - 7.7 - - 2 Thoothukudi 10 30 10 30 - - 20 10 3 Srivaikuntam 8 75 12.5 12.5 - - - - 4 Alwarthirunagari 14 71.4 14.2 - - 7.2 - 7.2 5 Thiruchendur 17 52.9 - 5.9 11.7 5.9 - 23.6 6 Udangudi 13 46.1 7.7 30.8 15.4 - - - 7 Vilathikulam 7 57.1 - - 42.9 - - - Mean 59.58 7.44 11.31 10 2.97 2.85 5.82

Fig 1: Percentage Distribution of groundwater quality in different blocks

Table 3: Mean chemical composition of groundwater in coastal blocks of Thoothukudi district

2+ 2+ + + 2- - - 2- 1/2 -1/2 No. of Range/ Ca Mg Na K CO3 HCO3 Cl SO4 SAR (mmol L ) RSC Blocks pH EC (dS m1) samples Mean/ SD (meqL-1) (meqL-1) Min 7.19 0.13 1.2 0.4 0.30 0.00 0.00 1.00 2.00 0.04 0.01 Nil Ottapidaram 13 Max 7.95 2.35 5.8 8.4 9.98 2.88 2.00 8.00 23.00 0.99 5.26 2.40 Mean 7.59 1.03 2.92 2.94 2.81 0.60 0.46 2.83 8.00 0.36 1.48 -2.57 Min 7.11 0.40 2.8 2.2 1.02 0.02 0.00 1.00 5.00 0.04 0.61 Nil Thoothukudi 10 Max 8.01 6.42 12.6 14.6 48.36 0..65 16.00 21.00 27.00 1.05 15.69 18.00 Mean 7.51 3.00 7.1 8.04 17.03 0.31 3.60 10.90 15.5 0.57 5.88 -0.64 Min 7.12 0.33 1.2 0.4 0.30 0.00 0.00 1.00 4.00 0.02 0.34 Nil Srivaikuntam 8 Max 8.01 4.03 8.00 12.00 18.85 9.78 2.00 8.00 29.00 0.31 7.76 Nil Mean 7.45 1.42 3.65 5.28 3.95 1.53 0.25 3.38 11.13 0.11 1.78 -5.30 Min 7.11 0.43 1.2 0.6 0.73 0.03 0.00 2.00 3.00 0.02 0.54 Nil Alwarthirunagari 14 Max 7.93 3.41 9.6 6.8 22.57 1.13 2.00 8.00 30.00 0.59 16.82 4.40 Mean 7.57 1.63 3.13 3.63 8.64 0.42 0.29 4.14 12.79 0.19 5.03 -2.33 ~ 2836 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies

Min 6.98 0.16 1.2 0.4 0.01 0.01 0.00 1.00 2.00 0.00 0.01 Nil Thiruchendur 17 Max 8.18 10.08 58 33.2 63.13 1.80 4.00 8.00 95.00 1.09 31.71 2.40 Mean 7.60 2.93 6.00 6.35 14.84 0.61 0.82 3.39 26.06 0.40 7.53 -8.14 Min 6.90 0.42 1.8 1.4 0.33 0.05 0.00 1.00 3.00 0.00 0.18 Nil Udangudi 13 Max 8.04 8.59 23.6 21.6 52.63 10.77 4.00 19.00 65.00 0.96 24.23 Nil Mean 7.61 3.12 7.02 7.85 16.88 2.30 0.31 4.54 26.46 0.24 6.06 -10.02 Min 7.72 0.60 1.4 1.2 1.48 0.05 0.00 1.00 6.00 0.50 0.77 Nil Vilathikulam 7 Max 8.87 11.90 16.8 11.2 106.02 1.21 2.00 15.00 108.00 1.12 37.02 2.40 Mean 7.88 4.72 7.29 5.20 37.36 0.35 0.86 5.71 42.00 0.75 13.69 -5.91

Fig 2a: Spatial distribution of different quality parameter of groundwater in coastal blocks of Thoothukudi district

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Fig. 2b: Spatial distribution of different quality parameter of groundwater in coastal blocks of Thoothukudi district

References 1. Balachandran A. District Groundwater Brochure Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu. Central Ground Water Board South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, 2009, 1- 20. 2. Gupta KR. Water crisis in India. Atlantic Publishers, New Delhi, 2008. 3. Polemio M, Dragone V, Limoni PP. Salt contamination in Apulian aquifer: spatial and time trend. Proceedings of 1st SWIM-SWICA (19th salt water intrusion meeting-3rd salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers), Cagliari, 2006, 119-125. 4. Singhal B, Gupta RP. Applied Hydrogeology of Fractured Rocks. Springer. Stiff, H. 1951.The interpretation of chemical water analysis by means of patterns. Journal of Petroleum Technology. 2010; 3(10). 5. Ramprakash SK, Rajpal SK, Sharma, Satyavan Mapping of groundwater quality of Beri block of Jhajjar district in Haryana. Journal of soil salinity and water quality, 2013; 5(1):27-33. 6. Minhas PS, Singh RB, Hebbara M, Verma BL, Subbaiah GV. Effects of poor quality water on soils and crops. In: Minhas PS, Sharma OP and Patil SG (eds) 25 years of Research on Management of salt-affected Soils and use of saline water in Agriculture, Yugantar Prikashan Pvt.Ltd., New Delhi. 1998, 109-149. 7. Manchanda HR. Quality of Ground water in Haryana. Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 1976, 160.

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