Geo-informatics based visualization of spatio-temporal distribution of groundwater quality parameters pertaining to Vatrak sub-watershed for the year 2010-2011 (Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, India) Naveenchandra N. Srivastava1, Vasaram H. Patel2 1 Assistant Professor, Center for Energy, Environment, Urban Governance and Infrastructure Development, Administrative Staff College of India, Bella Vista, Hyderabad – 500082, India 2 Ex. Faculty, Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics, Near Ch-0 Circle, Indu lal Yagnik Marg, Gandhinagar – 382 007, Gujarat, India it of the Paper should not be re tha Words = 7/ Abstract: About the Authors: For optimally utilization and sustainability, quality of groundwater has to be assessed. This paper describes spatial distribution of groundwater quality parameters. It is an important natural resource. Study area pertains to Vatrak sub- watershed (Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, India). Recent Vatrak, a tributary to Sabarmati River, is a rainfed Dr. NaveenchandraPhotograph N. Srivastava river. It flows during SW monsoon period. Currently working as an Assistant Northern part of study area is elevated. River Professor in Environment area at the valley is wide. Here, data visualization was carried Center for Energy, Environment, out using Geospatial Technology. In study area, Urban Governance and quality and quantity of groundwater is variable Infrastructure Development of from one place to other. Before using Administrative Staff College of India, groundwater for various purposes i.e. industrial, Hyderabad. Ph.D. in Engineering agriculture, domestic etc. quality must be Geology from Indian Institute of ascertained. In study area, quality of groundwater Technology – Roorkee, MTech. in is a major concern because quality water is Applied Geology from Indian needed for irrigation and domestic use. The study Institute of Technology – Roorkee area is influenced by semi-arid climate. ArcGIS 9.2 and MBA from IGNOU. Qualified NET was used to visualize spatio-temporal behavior of (Joint CSIR-UGC) test. groundwater quality parameters. The various E mail ID: [email protected] thematic layers were prepared using geospatial Contact: +919409562841 technology i.e. Static Water Level (SWL), Total Depth (TD), Transmissibility, K (Permeability), C (Specific Capacity), Q {Discharge m3/min)}, S (Specific yield in fraction), Alkalinity (ppm), Calcium (ppm), Chloride (ppm), Fluoride (ppm), Mr. Vasaram H. Patel Recent Photograph Magnesium (ppm), Nitrate (ppm), pH, Sulphate, Retired Head (Networks Div., SAC- TDS {Total Dissolved Solid (ppm)}, Hardness ISRO, Ahmedabad, India). Also (ppm), Groundwater fit for consumption and served as faculty at BISAG Groundwater unfit for consumption. In the (Bhaskaracharya Institute for present study, contouring is done to visualize the Space Applications and Geo- distribution of groundwater quality parameters informatics, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, within study area. Sample points concerning India). Subject specialist in computer groundwater quality parameters are also shown. Systems Management, Networks Variation in parameter values may be seen using Management and Space contour line distribution. Spacing between Applications. Offered instruction, contour lines indicate whether variation is sharp consultations, and support to or gentle. Contour creation tool was used to students. Holds bachelor’s degree in generate polyline from input sample dataset. Electronics and Communications Simultaneous visualization of steep and gentle Engg. from I I Sc. (Indian Institute of areas is possible with the help of contouring Science, Bangalore). Mr. Vasaram H. methods. For each contour polyline, attribute Patel can be contacted at data is there in contour attribute table. Here, [email protected] contour analysis provides visual explanation of the available water quality data. Considering environmental health problems, groundwater quality maps serve as a precautionary indicator. In present study, goal is to understand groundwater quality of Vatrak sub watershed area using GIS. Spatial Analyst was used to understand the spatio-temporal behavior of groundwater quality parameters. It is a module of ArcGIS 9.2. Spatial Interpolation Technique was used for preparation of various thematic layers. Contouring method helped to delineate the locational distribution of parameters. Keywords: Groundwater, quality, parameter, Vatrak, Watrak, Sabarkantha, Gujarat, river, GIS, Geospatial, Alkalinity, Calcium, Chloride, Fluoride, Magnesium, Nitrate, ppm, Ph, Sulphate, TDS {Total Dissolved Solid (ppm)}, Hardness (ppm), fit for consumption, unfit for consumption Introduction Groundwater quality is influenced by growth in population and exploitation of groundwater resources. To evaluate the groundwater quality, Geo-informatics based study was conducted in Vatrak sub-watershed (Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, India). According to Todd, 1980, within a geological stratum, all voids are occupied by groundwater. It constitutes 30.1% of the global fresh water. To meet the need of urban population, there is significant increase in groundwater reservoir. Stress has been placed on quality of groundwater due to water consumption practices in industrial as well as agricultural sectors (Adnan and Iqbal, 2014). In study area, groundwater is the major source of irrigation. For groundwater planning and management, information regarding groundwater quality is important. Such information may be useful for choosing a location for some water resource related activities. Present study provides current groundwater quality scenario. Study Area The Vatrak River originates in Dungarpur District of Rajasthan (http://www.indianetzone.com/4/sabarmati_river.htm). Total area of Vatrak sub-watershed is 578.38 km2. Study area falls in Sabarkantha District (Gujarat). Vatrak is a rain fed river and is a tributary to Sabarmati River. Due to fairly low rain fall, Sabarmati river basin is having one of the lowest water wealth potential in India. The basin is highly exploited in terms of water resources. The study area falls in the hot and semi-arid region of the northern Gujarat (Fig. 1). Topographically, area of Sabarkantha district is undulating. Geologically, area comprises various types of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic formations, such as Basalt, Alluvium, Quartzite, Phyllite, Schist, Sandstone etc. The river Vatrak enters the Sabarkantha district near village Moyedi of Meghraj taluka and runs in the south-west direction of the district. It is joined by the river Mazum and other streams. After a course of 243 km, it falls into the Sabarmati near Dholka (Ahmedabad district). In eastern part of its course, it flows over a rocky bed between rough banks through wild and picturesque country (District Gazetteer, Sabarkantha). Before entering the district, it covers a distance of about 29 km in Rajasthan. It covers a total length of about 84 km in the district. Fig. 1 Location Map of Study area in Gujarat (Vatrak sub-watershed) Topography The area of study is characterized by wide river valley (Fig. 2) and elevated area in the northern part (Fig. 3). It is a mixed landscape. NE part of study area consists of hills, while SW part is having pediplain. Minimum elevation point is 23 m. Maximum elevation point is 200 m. Relief in northern part is high, but it is low in southern part. 0 – 1 % is the dominant slope category. Area pertaining to left bank of river is relatively less steep. Topography is more undulating on right bank. At Vatrak dam, river valley is widened in the upstream. Drainage The area is drained by the southwesterly flowing river Vatrak and its tributaries (Fig. 4). The stream flow in these regions is mostly limited to the rainy season. Drainage pattern is dendritic. Streams are small and medium streams. Low order streams flow on relatively steep slope, while medium order streams are relatively on gentle slope. Highest stream order is sixth. Total length of Vatrak river in sub-watershed is 43 km. Fig. 2 Wide river valley (Vatrak river) Fig. 3 Topography of study area Fig. 4 Drainage map and water bodies Climate The climate is characterized by general dryness expect in the south-west monsoon season and a hot summer. The study area has a sub-tropical monsoon climate with three seasons, the monsoon (kharif, between late June to October), the cooler rabi (November to February) which is dry and the hot summer season (March to mid-June). The rainfall occurs in monsoon months. The study area receives much of its rainfall from the southwest monsoon. Its maximum intensity being in the months of July and August. For the duration 2004 – 2009, maximum rainfall was 1688.5 mm in the year 2006, while minimum rainfall was 659.3 mm in the year 2008. The relative humidity is low. The rate of evaporation is highest during April to June due to sharp rise in temperature and increase in wind speed. Winds are generally light to moderate, increasing in intensity during the late summer and monsoon seasons. Temperature – There is a steady increase in temperatures after February. May and the early part of June constitute the hottest part of the year. The weather is very hot and oppressive in the later part of the summer season. With the advance of the monsoon, by about the middle of June, there is appreciable drop in the day temperature, but the night continues to be warm nearly as warm as in later part of summer season. By about the end of September, the monsoon withdraws from the district, the day temperature begins to increase and