Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences Vol. 46 (05), May 2017, pp. 1052-1060

Study on suitability of groundwater for irrigation purpose in Parambikulam Aliyar project area,

Elangovan K & Rani R

Department of Civil Engineering, PSG College of Technology, 641 004, India

[E-Mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]]

Received 01 June 2015 ; revised 19 June 2015

Forty samples were taken within the study area and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters. Observed values of the Hydrochemical parameters of the samples were further analyzed for the groundwater quality assessment based on the Irrigation Standards. Suitability of groundwater was assessed for irrigation suitability based on the parameters pH, TDS, 2+ 2+ + + - 2- - - - 2- TH, PI , MR, KI, RSC , SAR, Na%, EC, Ca , Mg , Na , K , and like HCO3 , CO3 , Cl , NO2 +NO3 and SO4 . Karl Pearson‟s correlation method was used to find out the relationship between these variables. Major hydro chemical facies were identified using Piper trilinear diagram. Results revealed that there are significant positive and negative correlations between the variables. EC has significant positive correlations between Mg2+, Na+, Cl- and TDS.

[Keywords: Groundwater, Quality, Hydro-chemical parameters, Multivariate Analysis, Irrigation]

Introduction carried out to study the characteristics of hydro Global environment is changing chemical parameters to assess the quality of continuously due to unfavorable alterations of the ground water according to the irrigation standards surroundings wholly as a bye product of man‟s in Parambikulam Aliyar area. actions through direct or indirect effect of changes in energy pattern, radiation levels, chemical and Materials and Methods physical constitution of organisms1. Groundwater The study area of Parambikulam Aliyar is located is mainly used for drinking, irrigation and in Coimbatore District, , India industrial purpose. The dependability on between the latitudes of 10o 10‟ 00”N to 10o 57‟ groundwater has reached high in recent decades 20”N and the longitudes of 76o 43‟ 20”E to 77o due to reasons such as unreliable supplies from 12‟ 30”E (Figure-1) with an area of 2389sqkm. It the surface water due to vagaries of monsoon, consists of 8 interlinked reservoirs (6 at the hills increase in demand for domestic, agricultural and and 2 at plains). industrial purpose2. Understanding the aquifer hydraulic properties and hydro chemical characteristics of water is crucial for groundwater planning and management3. Assessment of groundwater quality status is important for the development of society and protection of environment. Chemical composition of groundwater is related to the solid product of rock weathering and changes with respect to time and space4. Therefore, the variation on the concentration levels of the different hydro geochemical constituents dissolved in water determines its usefulness for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes5. Present study was

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It is one of the interstate projects sharing water, according to the irrigation standards as per IS based on the agreement carried out between the 2296:1992. All the results were imported to SPSS two states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala6. In this 17 software for further multivariate analysis like area, the surface water is being supplied to only Maximum (Max), Minimum (Min), Mean, 50% of the command area in a year. In alternate Median, Mode, Range, Standard deviation (SD) to the surface water, the groundwater utilization is and Correlation coefficient (r). Correlation more during non-supply period. Hence it is analysis is a bivariate method that describes the necessary to evaluate the groundwater quality due degree of relationship between two variables 9. In to overexploitation of groundwater. This area is order to confirm the relationship among the covered by denudation, fluvial landforms and parameters Karl Pearson‟s correlation method was structural hills –Anamalai hills at the southern used. The Correlation coefficient „r‟ is calculated part. Rainfall and temperature ranges from 1591 by the formula, o 7 to 4364 mm and 13.78 to 35.65 C respectively . N xy  ( x)( y) The depth of well within the study area ranges r  from 5 to 25m and average thickness of weathered [N x2  ( x)2 ][N y2( y)2 ] mantle is 10m.

Parambikulam and Aliyar river basin comprises mainly of crystalline rocks of Archaean Where, age. Charnokites form the major rock type of the basin followed by the granites, granitic gneisses, N = No of Pairs of Scores dunites, limestones, quartzite basic and ultra basic intrusive of pegmaties and quaternery veins.  xy = Sum of the products of paired Charnockites and associated migmatites occupy a scores major part of the area. The Anamalai hill ranges are composed of charnockites and their  x = Sum of x scores magmatised equivalents.  y = Sum of y scores Granites intruded into the older gneisses and charnockites, and have undergone  x 2 =sum of squared x metamorphism and metasomatism. They occupy mostly small mounds or linear domes in the area. Hornblende–biotite gneisses occupy the central  y 2 =Sum of squared y scores and northern portion of the basin area. Intrusions The sign of correlation coefficient of pegmatites and quartz veins are observed all determines whether the correlation is positive or over the area, traversing the country rock in all negative. The magnitude of correlation coefficient directions. Extensive cover of laterite occurs over determines the strength of the correlation. the western part of the area. Thickness of laterites According to Evans methodology (1985) seldom exceeds 15m. correlation strength was categorized as very weak Within the study area totally 40 (0.00-0.19), weak (0.20-0.39), moderate (0.40- groundwater samples were collected during the 0.59), strong (0.60-0.79) and very strong (0.80- February 2012 using clear acid washed polythene 1.00). bottles and analysis were done using standard Results and Discussion procedures8. The samples were analyzed for the following parameters like pH, Total dissolved Groundwater quality is an important solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Permeability parameter in determining its suitability for Index (PI), Magnesium Ratio (MR), Kelly‟s Index particular use such as drinking, domestic, (KI), Sodium Percent (Na%), Electrical agricultural and industrial purposes. Irrigation Conductivity (EC), Sodium Adsorption Ratio water quality is important for successful crop (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), production. Poor quality of the irrigation water cations like Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), + + may affect crop yields and soil physical Sodium (Na ), Potassium (K ) and anions like 10 - 2- conditions . Statistical measures of the chemical Bicarbonate (HCO3 ), Carbonate (CO3 ), Chloride - - - parameters were analyzed for the 40 groundwater (Cl ), Nitrate & Nitrite (NO2 &NO3 ) and Sulphate 2- samples (Table 1). (SO4 ). Suitable parameters were evaluated 1054 ELANGOVAN et al : SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR IRRIGATION

Table-1 Statistical Parameters of physical and chemical parameters of Groundwater samples in the study area

No Parameters Min Max Mean Median Mode SD Range

1. EC 470.00 6030.00 1448.75 1040.00 740.00 1087.59 5560.00 2. pH 7.80 9.20 8.42 8.40 8.60 0.33 1.40 3. TDS 265.00 3327.00 846.45 626.00 265.00 652.13 3062.00 4. TH 60.00 1750.00 418.63 275.00 195.00 342.63 1690.00 5. PI 20.10 96.58 58.90 59.69 N/A 16.02 76.48 6. MR 7.25 78.75 46.22 47.11 N/A 16.21 71.50 7. KI 0.20 8.11 1.41 0.98 N/A 1.38 7.90 8. Na% 10.98 82.92 40.75 39.24 10.98 15.04 71.94 9. SAR 0.64 9.97 3.11 2.45 0.64 2.02 9.33 10. RSC 0.01 3.43 0.94 0.78 0.15 0.82 3.41 11. Ca2+ 12.00 328.00 67.80 42.00 38.00 62.43 316.00 12. Mg2+ 0.70 328.00 60.62 38.88 39.00 60.58 321.00 13. Na+ 30.00 506.00 136.65 102.50 74.00 107.74 476.00 14. K+ 1.00 266.00 25.53 9.50 8.00 47.32 265.00 - 15. HCO3 85.00 464.00 223.42 197.06 159.00 101.59 379.00 2- 16. CO3 0.00 66.00 18.52 15.00 18.00 17.64 66.00 17. Cl- 35.00 1914.00 282.78 129.50 60.00 357.67 1879.00 - - 18. NO2 +NO3 1.00 84.00 13.35 6.00 2.00 15.79 83.00 2- 19. SO4 10.00 1104.00 80.35 34.00 29.00 171.96 1094.00 20. F- 0.03 1.73 0.69 0.76 12.00 0.45 1.70

EC is a measurement of total salts can be attributed to decrease in the water volume dissolved in samples, the most significant water and increase in rate of evaporation of water11. quality standard on crop productivity. Results The concentrations of Ca2+, Mg 2+, K+ and Na+ revealed that EC value ranges from 470 to ranged from 12 to 328, 0.70 to 328, 1 to 266 and 6030µs/cm with a mean value of 1448.75µs/cm. 30 to 506 mg/l with mean values of 67.8, 60.62, The primary effect of high EC water on crop 25.53 and 136.65 mg/l, respectively. The - productivity was the failure of the plant to concentrations of the anions indicate that HCO3 2- - 2- + , - compete with ions in the soil solution for water. ,CO3 , Cl , SO4 and NO2 NO3 ranged from 85 The higher the EC, the lesser the water available to 464,0 to 66, 35 to 1914, 10 to 1104 and 1 to 84 to plants, even though the soil may show wet, mg/l with mean values of 223.42,18.52, 282.78, because plants can only transpire "pure" water; 80.35 and 13.35 mg/l, respectively. usable plant water in the soil solution decreases The most important parameters to be significantly as EC increases. The amount of considered in evaluating the suitability of water water transpired through a crop was directly for irrigation area are TDS, TH, PI, MR, KI, RSC, related to yield; therefore, irrigation water with SAR, Na%, and EC. The classifications of high EC reduces yield potential. The groundwater quality according to the standards concentration of the TH in the study ranges from are shown in the Table -2. 60 to 1750mg/l with a mean value of 418.63mg/l. TDS indicates the amount of chemical The pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion substances dissolved in the water. TDS generally concentration in water. The pH value of water reflects the amount of minerals content that indicates whether the water is acidic or alkaline. dissolved in the water, and this controls its pH value of the study area ranges from 7.8 to 9.2 suitability for use. High concentration of TDS with a mean of 8.42 which shows that the quality may cause adverse taste effects. TDS of groundwater in the study area is alkaline in concentration ranges from of 265 mg/l to nature. Higher values of hardness during summer 3327mg/l with a mean value of 846.45mg/l.

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Table-2 Groundwater classification based on drinking and irrigation standards

No Para Method Formula Year Range Suitability Result meter (%)

General <500 Desirable for drinking 37.5 500-1000 Permissible for drinking 40 Davis and 0.64×EC×106(Micro- 1. TDS 1966 1000-3000 Useful for irrigation 20 Dewist12 mhos/cm) Unfit for irrigation & >3000 drinking 2.5 <75 Soft 2.5 Sawyer and Mc 75-150 Moderately high 5 2. TH (Ca 2+ + Mg2+)) meq/l * 50 1967 Mcartly30 150-300 Hard 47.5 >300 Very Hard 45 + - 2+ Doneen & [( Na + HCO ) /( Ca + Mg 75% Suitable for Irrigation 15 14 3 3. PI Ragunath 2+ + 1964 25-75% Suitable for Irrigation 82.5 +Na )]100 >0-25% Unsuitable for Irrigation 2.5 Ayers and <50 Suitable for Irrigation 55 4. MR [Mg2+ / (Mg2+ + Ca2+)] 100 1985 Westcot28 >50 Unsuitable for Irrigation 45 >1 Suitable for Irrigation 55 5. KI Kelley29 Na+ (Ca 2+ Mg 2+) 1951 / + <1 Unsuitable for Irrigation 45

Irrigation Standards <20 Excellent 7.5 + + 2+ 2+ 20-40 Good 47.5 [ (Na + K )/ (Ca + Mg + 6. Na% IS 2296 + + 1992 40-60 Medium 35 Na + K )] 100 60-80 Bad 7.5 >80 Very bad 2.5 <250 Excellent 0 250-750 Good 25 750-2250 Medium 55 7. EC IS 2296 Direct Reading 1992 2250- 4000 Bad 17.5 >4000 Very bad 2.5 <10 Excellent 100 10-18 Good 0 8. SAR IS 2296 Na+ /(Ca2+ +Mg+)1/2/2 1992 18-26 Medium 0 >26 Bad 0 >26 Very bad 0 <1.25 Excellent 70 1.25-2.0 Good 20 - 2+ 2+ 2+ 9. RSC IS 2296 (HCO3 +CO3 )-(Ca +Mg ) 1992 2.0-2.5 Medium 2.5 2.5-3.0 Bad 5 >3.0 Very bad 2.5

Groundwater quality as per Davis and Total Hardness (TH) is an important parameter Dewiest (1964) method12 shows (that except 2.5% to be considered to assess the quality of (>3000) of the total samples, others are suitable groundwater. TH is measured as the sum of for irrigation. Generally the quality of water is concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ and expressed in determined based on the type and quantity of mg/l. Except 2.5%, all the other samples are in the dissolved salts. Salts present in water mainly range of moderately hard (5%), hard (47.5%) and originate from weathering of the rocks and soil, very hard (45%). Generally hardness has no direct including dissolution of lime, gypsum and other effect in fixing the quality of water for irrigation, slowly dissolved soil minerals. Irrigating with but high levels of hardness may affect the water higher TDS water leads to accumulation of salts supply system, excessive soap consumption, in the root zone of the crop which leads to calcification of arteries and cause urinary reduction in the yield of the crop. concretions, diseases of kidney of bladder and stomach disorder13.

1056 ELANGOVAN et al : SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR IRRIGATION

According to Doneen (1964)14 and Ragunath which comes under the categories, excellent (1987)15 the permeability index of water may (7.5%). good (47.5%) and medium (35%). In all classified into class I, class II and class III types. natural water Na% content is a parameter to Class I and II are suitable for irrigation (75% or evaluate its suitability for agricultural purposes, more of maximum permeability), and class III because Na combining with carbonate can lead to type of water which is unsuitable for irrigation the formation of alkaline soils, Na+ combining (25% maximum permeability). The Permeability with Cl- form saline soils and both these soils do Index (PI) value of the study area varies from 20.1 not help for growth of plants 21. to 96.58% with a mean value of 58.9%. According to the standards of permeability index, nearly 97.5% (class I and II) of the samples were suitable for irrigation. Long term use of groundwater for irrigation will reduce the permeability of the soil due to alteration in the + 2+ 2+ - 16 Na , Ca , Mg and HCO3 contents of the soil . The measure of effect of magnesium in irrigated water is expressed as Magnesium Ratio (MR). Magnesium content of water is considered as one of the most important qualitative criteria in determining the quality of water for irrigation17. MR values in the study area ranges from 7.25 mg/l to 78.5mg/l with a mean value of 46.22mg/l. Figure-2 Classification of water quality as Irrigation Standards According to the standards of irrigation for MR content, 55% of the samples are suitable for irrigation and others are not suitable. Generally The use of high Na% of water for irrigation high magnesium content will make the water purpose stunts the plant growth. Moreover sodium more alkaline which will affect the crop yield 18. is absorbed by the clay particles, displacing Ca2+ Kelly‟s Index (KI) is the concentration of and Mg2+ with the soil and reduces its Na+, measured against Ca2+ & Mg2+ in water permeability 22. The finer structure of the soil and represents the alkali hazard which is used for the greater the organic matter content, the impact of classification of water for irrigation purposes. The higher Na content water will be more, due to KI values in the study area are ranges from 0.20 reduction in infiltration and aeration. Gypsum can to 8.11meq/l with a mean value of 1.41meq/l. Out be added to the soil to reduce the effect of high of the total samples 55% (>1) samples are suitable percentage of sodium in irrigation water. for irrigation,

Groundwater Classification as per Irrigation Electrical Conductivity (EC) is used to Standards assess the ability of water to conduct electric current is measured as EC and is used to estimate Irrigation water quality varies greatly the quantity of dissolved solids. As per the upon the types and quantity of dissolved salts. irrigation standards, EC classified as good (25%) Thus, water for irrigation suitability is determined and medium (55%) category which are suitable not only by the total amount of salt present but 19-20 for irrigation and the samples belongs to also by the kind of salt . Components like bad(17.5%) and very bad (2.5%) category are not Na%, EC, SAR, and RSC are important suitable for irrigation. The primary effect of high parameters for determining the suitability of EC water on crop productivity is inability of the groundwater for irrigation purpose, so these plant to compete with ions in the soil solution for factors were classified based on irrigation water (Physiological drought). The higher the EC, standards ( Figure 2). the less water is available to plants, even though the soil may appear wet. Because plants can only Sodium Percent (Na%) is an important transpire “pure” water, usable plant water in the factor to be considered to classify the water for soil solution decreases dramatically as EC irrigation suitability. According to the standards increases23. 90% of the samples are suitable for irrigation

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Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) is also Correlation analysis an important parameter for determining the suitability of groundwater for irrigation because it The correlation values and the is a measure of alkali/sodium hazard to crops. It is relationship between various factors of ground an estimate of the extent to which Sodium ion water quality are shown in the Table-3. Results present in the water to be absorbed by the soil. revealed that there are +ve and –ve correlation between the variables. A positive “ρ” corresponds The SAR is calculated as follows. to an increasing while a negative “ρ” corresponds to a decreasing monotonic trend between two water quality parameters. Na A high correlation coefficient (near 1 or - 1) means a good relationship between two SAR  2 2 1/2 (Ca  Mg ) /2 variables and its value around zero means no relationship between them 25. According to Evans methodology there is a very strong +ve correlation between TDS with Na2+(+0.869), Cl- In this study area the cumulative (+0.930), EC(+0.966), and TH(+0.901). EC and - - concentrations of HCO3 and CO3 is less than the TDS show the concentration of dissolved salts in 2+ 2+ concentrations of Ca and Mg is an indication water. So with increase in the values of Na2+, Cl-, that no residual carbonate will react with sodium, EC and TH the TDS will increase. The significant thereby no sodium hazard. The result revealed positive correlation was found between Mg2+ and that all the samples in the study area have Cl-, EC and Total hardness. Similarly strong +ve excellent (100%) category of groundwater which correlations exists between Mg2+ with Cl- (0.904), is suitable for irrigation. EC(0.880), TH(0.908); Na+ with Cl-(+0.801), EC(+0.844); Cl- with EC(+0.980), TH(+0.909); The suitability of water for irrigation EC with TH(0.916) and SAR with purpose is determined by the concentration of 2+ Na %(+0.848).This +ve values indicate that the Carbonate and Bicarbonate. Residual Sodium increase or decrease in the parameters will result Carbonate (RSC) is calculated based on the the increase or decrease in the related parameters. assumption that all the Ca2+ and Mg2+ will be On this 11 cases have very strong correlation precipitated as carbonate. exists at 10% significant level and in 2 cases very

strong correlation exists at significant level of 5%.  2  2  2  RSC  (HCO33  CO )-(Ca  Mg ) The hardness of water samples is mainly due to 26 where all the concentrations are reported in meq/l. presence of CaCl2, CaSO4, MgCl2 and MgSO4 . In 40 cases –ve correlation exists between the RSC result of the study area revealed that variables. Weak –ve correlation found between 92.5% of the groundwater is within permissible pH and HCO3 (-0.523), Mg (-0.324), and TDS (- limit and suitable for irrigation. Only bad (5%) 0.253).Similarly Ca2+ with Na+% also has weak – and very bad (2.5%) category of the samples have ve correlation (-0.316). The negative correlation higher RSC value and are not suitable for the indicates that the increase in one parameter will irrigation purpose. The land irrigated with high show the decreasing trend on the related variables RSC water will make the land infertile due to 23 and vice versa. No correlation exists between deposition of Sodium Carbonate . Groundwater 2+ - - Ca and HCO3 and F and TH. The chemical in arid and semi-arid regions often contains higher 2+ - constituents which contribute TDS are Ca , PO4 , concentrations of soluble salts and continuous use - + + - NO4 , Na , K and Cl . Hence the positive of such water for irrigation increase salinity and + - + 24 correlation between TDS and Na , Cl shows the exchangeable Na in the soil . influence of Na2+ and Cl- in determining TDS.

1058 ELANGOVAN et al : SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR IRRIGATION

Table-3 Correlation matrix for physical & chemical parameters of the groundwater samples

- NO2 2+ 2+ + + - 2- 2- - - TDS - Ca Mg Na K Cl SO4 CO3 HCO3 F pH EC T.HAR SAR RSC Na% +NO3 TDS 1 0.297 0.714** 0.792** 0.869** 0.594** 0.93** 0.458** 0.116 0.104 0.096 -0.253 0.966 0.901 0.397 -0.28 -0.047 - NO2 - 1 0.022 0.161 0.302 0.581** 0.211 -0.038 0.158 -0.26 -0.085 -0.106 0.27 0.127 0.286 0.037 0.089 +NO3 - Ca2+ 1 0.397** 0.430** 0.162 0.553** 0.734** 0.083 0 0.078 -0.144 0.606** 0.744** -0.006 -0.316* 0.344* Mg2+ 1 0.571** 0.568** 0.904** -0.006 -0.14 0.247 -0.048 -0.324* 0.880** 0.908** 0.063 -0.216 -0.36 Na+ 1 0.462** 0.801** 0.336* 0.292 0.132 0.142 -0.163 0.844** 0.611 0.746 -0.178 0.384 - K+ 1 0.58** 0.017 -0.073 0.125 -0.176 0.597** 0.487** 0.182 -0.004 -0.062 0.026 Cl- 1 0.158 0.057 0.112 0.063 -0.221 0.980** 0.909** 0.313* -0.245 -0.119 SO42- 1 0.056 -0.198 0.119 0.011 0.232 0.33 0.147 -0.226 0.013 2- CO3 1 -0.077 0.135 0.51** 0.114 -0.065 0.514** 0.012 0.418 - HCO - 1 -0.005 0.199 0.18 0.021 -0.098 -0.051 3 0.523** F- 1 0.165 0.05 0 0.156 0.329 0.206 pH 1 -0.298 -302 0.067 0.137 0.172 EC 1 0.916** 0.367* -0.269 -0.083 - HAR 1 0.043 -0.406** 0.314* SAR 1 0.162 0.848** RSC 1 0.321* Na% 1

*- Correlation is Significant at the 0.05 level (2-Tailed)

**- Correlation is Significant the 0.01 level (2-level)

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Hydro chemical facies of the samples are within the limits and suitable In this study the piper trilinear diagram 27 for irrigation. is used to evaluate the geochemical status of groundwater. On the basis of chemical analysis Acknowledgement groundwater is divided into six facies (Figure 3). The plot shows that the groundwater samples fall Authors are grateful to Groundwater wing of in the field of CaHCO , mixed CaMgCl, NaCl, Public Works Department, Coimbatore for 3 providing data for analysis. mixed CaNaHCO3, CaCl and NaHCO3 type respectively to their order of dominance. From the plot it is observed that alkalis (Na+ and K+) References exceeds the alkaline earth(Ca2+ and Mg2+) and 1. Kataria, H.C., Manisha Gupta., Mukesh Kumar, Cl- exceeds other anions. SandhiyaKushwaha, Sherwati Kashyap, SonalTrivedi, Rani Bhadoriya., & Naval Kishore Bandewar, Study of Physico-chemical Parameters of Drinking Water of Bhopal city with reference to Health Impacts, Current World Environment, 6(1),(2011) 95-99. 2. Subramani, T., Krishnan, S., Kumaresan, P.K., Study of Groundwater quality with GIS Application for Coonoor Taluk, Nilgiri District. International Journal of Modern Engineering Research, 2(3), (2012), 586-592. 3. Nosrat Aghazadeh, Asghar Asghari Mogaddam, Assessment of Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Drinking and Agricultural Uses in the Oshnavieh Area, Northwest of Iran, Journal of Environmental Protection, online publication,(2011), http://www.SciRP.org/journal/jep. 4. Arumugam, K., & Elangovan, K., Hydro chemical characteristics and groundwater quality assessment in Tirupur Region, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India, Environ Geol. 58,(2009)1509-1520. Conclusion DOI 10.1007/s00254-008-1652-y. 5. Obiefuna, G.I., & Sheriff, A., Assessment of Shallow Ground Water Quality of Pindiga Gombe Interpretation of hydro chemical analysis Area,Yola Area, NE, Nigeria for Irrigation and reveals that the groundwater in the study area is Domestic Purposes, Research journal of soft, moderately high, hard to very hard. Order of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 3(2), abundance of major cations concentration is Na+ (2011)131-141. >Ca2+ >Mg2+ > K+ while those of the anions are 6. Rani, R., & Elangovan, K., Evaluation of - - 2_ - - Parambikulam Aliyar basin in two decades HCO3 > Cl > SO4 >NO2 >NO3 . TDS, TH, PI, using GIS and remote sensing, ARPN Journal of KI, MR, Na%, EC, SAR and RSC were the Engineering and Applied Sciences, 7(10),(2012) indices employed in this study. Results indicate 1281-1288. TDS has strong positive correlations between 7. Rani, R., and Elangovan, K., 2012, Impact Of 2+ - Irrigation Delivery On Groundwater Case Study: Na , Cl and EC. Based on the classification of Parabikulam Aliyar Project In Tamilnadu, India, irrigation water according to the SAR values, all International Journal of Engineering Research and the groundwater samples belongs to excellent Applications, 2(4), (2012) 1056-1067. category and suitable for irrigation. According to 8. APHA, Standard methods for examination of water and waste water, American Public health PI values, in most of the study area can be Association, Washington D.C, (1998). designated as class I (15%) and class II (82.5%) 9. Radhey Shyam, & Kalwania, G.S., Groundwater which is suitable for irrigation purposes. Chemistry: A Case study of eastern part of Sikar Assessment of water samples from various city (Rajastan),India,International Journal of methods indicated that groundwater in study area Applied Engineering Research, Dindigul, 2(2),(2011). is chemically suitable. With reference to the 10. Sawyer,C.N., McMcartly, D.L.,Chemistry of 2+ factors TDS, PI, MR,KI, Na %, EC, SAR and sanitary Engineers 2nd edn McGraw Hill, New RSC, 97.5%, 97.5%, 55%, 55%, 90%, 80%, York,(1967) 518. 100%, 92.5% of samples satisfy the irrigation 11. Talukder, M.S.U., Shirazi, S.M., & Paul U.K., Suitability of groundwater for irrigation at standards respectively and fit for irrigation. Kirimganj Upazila Kishoreganj, Progress Agric., According to the irrigation standards nearly 90% 9, (1998)107-112. 1060 ELANGOVAN et al : SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR IRRIGATION

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