International Journal of Research ISSN NO : 2236-6124

Impact of Population on Quality of Ground Water in Tahsil: A Geospatial Analysis

Dr. S. P. Cholke Head and Associate Professor Department of Geography, R. B. N. B. College, Shrirampur Dist. () Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT In present study attempted to examine the impact of population density on quality of ground water in Shrirampur tahsil with applying the statistical techniques which are the powerful tools for impact assessment such Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation techniques, coefficient of determination and regression equation. It is observed that the correlation between population density and pH of ground water is negative (r = - 0.2123). It point out that higher population density, lower pH of ground water. The degree of correlation also calculated, it was found to be at 0.0451 (4.51 %) and the line of best fit is shows that increase of 1sq.km population density causes for decreases of 0.032 pH.

Keywords: Population Density, pH of water, Negative Correlation.

INTRODUCTION “The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.” (Thomas Malthus, 1798). Population is the foremost element, playing a vital role in the development of any region. The Indian population increasing rapidly, it had risen 1020 million to 1250 million during last decade. The density is one of the key parameters, defined the ratio between land and population in a region. With increasing population, density is also increasing rapidly and putting enormous pressure on basic amenities such as air, water and land Therefore, it is necessary to find out the correlation between population parameters and physical factors. Many geographers have studied population characteristics but only few focuses on correlation between population parameters and physical factors. Hence, present study attempt to focus on correlation between population density and pH of ground water in Shrirampur tahsil of Ahmednagar district which will be helpful for future planning in social amenities and services in the rural areas.

STUDY AREA The Shrirampur Tahsil is one of the agriculturally developed tahsils located in the northern part of Ahmednagar district, lies between 19° 45’ to 20° 30’ N latitudes and 74° 00’ to 74° 30’ E longitudes with covering 579.87sq. km area of 52 villages. The Tahsil has experiences a sub-tropical monsoon climate; the maximum temperature recorded during summers is about 44°C and it is as low as 8°C in winters. March, April, and May are the hottest months while December and January are the coldest. It receives 550 mm average rainfall and more than 75% of which occurs during the monsoon period (July– September). The total population of tahsil is 2, 87,500 (Census, 2011), among them about 1, 98,218 (68.94%) are living in rural used ground water for drinking and agricultural purposes due to scarcity of rainfall. Most of all are engaging in the agriculture and allied sectors. About 70 per cent land is irrigated, enforcing over use of canal irrigation and over exploitation of ground water.

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DATABASE AND METHODOLOGY The present study is based on secondary data which was collected from Census Hand book of Ahmednagar district for time period of 2011. Population density calculated with dividing total population by total area and tahsil delimited in high, medium and low density zones using ArcGIS 9. 3 software (Fig. 1) The ground water samples from dug wells and bore wells of 44 locations which are regularly used for drinking purpose were collected. Simultaneously, GPS readings (latitude, longitude and elevation) were taken by Garmin eTrex10 device. After sampling, collected samples were immediately brought to laboratory and pH measured according to the standard procedures prescribed American Public Health Association (APHA, 1995). The results were compared with standard values recommended by Indian Standard Specification for drinking water: IS: 10500-1991 (Table 2). The pH map was developed applying spatial interpolation Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) method in ArcGIS 9.3 software (Fig. 2). The impact of population density on ph of ground water was examined by the Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation technique. The functional form of linear relationship has been measured by using regression equation Y on X i.e. y = a + bx. The rate of change in dependent variable has been estimated with the help of ‘b’ coefficient, which is the line of best fit. Analysis of the study has been made with help of the statistical techniques and on the basis of this results and conclusion are drawn.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION The impact of population density on pH of ground water was examined through Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation method and degree of relationship calculated by using regression equation. For that pH of 42 ground water samples were tested and the map for pH distribution was prepared based on these five ranges using spatial interpolation Inverse Distance Weighted (Fig. 2).

Table 1: pH of Ground Water Samples in Shrirampur Tahsil Sr. Population Sr. Population Village Name pH Village Name pH No. Density No. Density

1 Belapur Bk 8.26 7.70 22 Khokar 3.26 7.80

2 Bhamathan 1.50 8.00 23 Ladgaon 2.34 8.20 Mahankal

3 Bherdapur 2.58 7.70 24 1.40 7.70

Wadgaon

4 Bhokar 3.16 7.70 25 Malewadi 3.77 7.30 Bramhangaon

5 4.24 7.70 26 Malunje Bk 4.11 8.10

Vetal

6 Dighi 2.04 7.90 27 Malwadgaon 3.39 7.50

7 Ekalahare 7.02 7.50 28 Mandve 3.47 7.40

8 Fatyabad 5.10 7.60 29 Matapur 5.67 7.80

9 Galnimb 1.65 7.70 30 Matulthan 1.53 7.60

10 Ghumandeo 3.08 7.70 31 Muthewadgaon 4.12 8.10

11 Gondegaon 3.82 7.70 32 Naur 2.54 7.90

12 Govardhanpur 1.28 8.30 33 Naygaon 1.35 8.00

13 Gurjarwadi 3.66 8.10 34 Nimgaon Khairi 2.93 7.90

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14 Haregaon 1.86 7.70 35 Padhegaon 4.74 7.80

15 Kamalpur 1.40 8.10 36 Rampur 2.34 7.70

16 Kanhegaon 3.17 7.70 37 Sarala 1.01 7.70

17 Karegaon 2.83 7.50 38 Takalibhan 3.53 8.00

18 Khanapur 2.25 7.90 39 Ukkalgaon 2.90 7.90

19 Khandala 3.72 8.10 40 Undirgaon 4.17 8.10

20 kadit Bk 4.44 8.00 41 Wadala Mahadeo 3.79 7.70

21 Khirdi 4.20 8.00 42 Wangi BK 2.22 8.20 (Source: Field Survey,Shrirampur Tahsil)

The pH map indicated that maximum pH value observed in Govardhanpur (8.30) followed by Wangi BK, Ladgaon (8.20) while the lowest value found in Malewadi (7.30) followed by Mandve (7.40), Malwadgaon, Ekalahare (7.50). It is also noticed that the eastern part of tahsil have high pH whereas the western part have low.

Fig. 1: Spatial Variability of pH of Ground water

The population density calculated applying formula, total population dividing by total area (Table 1) and tahsil delimited in high, medium and low density zones using ArcGIS 9. 3 software (Fig. 2).

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Fig. Population Density of Shrirampur Tahsil

The high population density was found in Undirgaon, Eklahare, Belapur, Ainatpur, Matapur, Padhegaon, Nipani wadgaon, Malunje, Khirdi, Kuranpur, Fatyabad villages. While low population density found in villages those are situated at the boundary of thasil where population is not concentrated, they are including, Matulthan, Naygaon, Jafrabad, Naur, Rampur, Govardhanpur, Mahankal wadgaon, Khanapur, Bhamathan, Kamalpur, Wangi, Ladgaon, Waladgaon, Galnimb, Kadit bk, Dighi, but lowest density found in Sarala village which is 1.01person/sq.km. And medium population density found in Gondegaon, Nimgaon khairi, Ukkalgaon, Khandala, Wadalamahadev, Khokar, Bhokar, Taklibhan, Muthewadgaon, Ghumandeo etc. villages.

Impact of Population Density on pH of Ground water

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The correlation between population density and pH of ground water was calculated by the Pearson’s

Coefficient of Correlation formula;

r = - 0.2123

Value of r is - 0.2123 which indicated the correlation between population density and pH of ground water is negative. The degree of correlation between population density and pH of ground water obtained by using the coefficient of determination (r2) is found to be at 0.0451 (4.51 %). The regression of y upon x has been calculated by the least square method according to formula: y = a + bx y = 7.9316 + - 0.0326x

The line of best fit is shows that increase of 1sq.km population density causes for decreases of 0.032 pH.

CONCLUSION Data has been analyzed regarding population density and pH of ground water for find out impact of population density on pH of ground water in Shrirampur tahsil. The statistical techniques such Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation techniques, coefficient of determination and regression equation were applied which are the powerful tools for impact assessment. The result shows that the correlation between population density and pH of ground water is negative (r = - 0.2123). That means high population density, low pH of ground water. The degree of correlation between population density and pH of ground water is found to be at 0.0451 (4.51 %) and the line of best fit is shows that increase of 1sq.km population density causes for decreases of 0.032 pH. Though the negative correlation is very poor but if population density increase it causing decline in pH of ground water and ground water quality in Shrirampur tahsil.

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REFERENCES 1. APHA (1998): Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. APHA-AWWA- WPCF 1998 Washington D.C. 2. Bhende Asha (1985): Principals of population studies, Himalaya publication House, . 3. Cholke S. P. (2012): Village Information System (V.I.S.) for watershed management in the North Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University, Pune. 4. Indian Standards Institution (2012): Indian standard Specification for drinking water, IS 10500. 5. Maharashtra Census (2011): Ahmadnagar district census handbook- 2011 6. Potts D (2006): ‘Rural Mobility as a Response to land Shortages: A case of Malawi. Vol-12 No.4, Pp. 291-312 7. Shrivastri R.K. and Koshal Rajeev (2010): ‘Population Growth and Quality of life in Seoni District Madhya Pradesh’.Deccan Geographer. Vol-48 No.02, Pp-75-84 8. Virmalan Sheeja (1996): Population density gradient in Raipur city: The Deccan geographer vol.34, No.2: p.p.165- 172 : TheDeccan geographical society, Pune. 9. WHO (2006): Guidelines of drinking water quality Recommendation: the 3rd edition. Geneva, World Health Organization.

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