Spatial Distribution of Groundwater quality in Paravanar River Sub Basin, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu

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1 Spatial Distribution of Groundwater quality in Paravanar River Sub Basin, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu Shankar.K 1, Aravindan.S 1, Rajendran.S 2 1 Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram. 2 Department of Earth Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. geoshankar1984@gmail.com ABSTRACT The present investigation reports the results of a monitoring study focusing on groundwater quality of Paravanar River Sub basin, Cuddalore District of Tamil nadu. Since, remediation of groundwater is very difficult, knowledge of the existing nature, magnitude, and sources of the various pollution loads is a prerequisite to assessing groundwater quality. Thirty five groundwater samples were collected randomly from Bore wells and analyzed for various chemical parameters. Geologically, the study area comprises Quaternary alluvium made up of an alternating succession of clay, silt and sandstone deposits. An attempt has been made to study on the quality of ground water for the Villages falling in the Paravanar Sub Basin to interpolate major ions concentration in groundwater. Highest concentration of hardness in groundwater is observed in Kulakudi. Abundance of Caco 3 hardness may be attributed due to dissolution of aragonite bearing minerals by the way of pedological differenceaction in the preceding sedimentary cycle of deposition. Maximum concentration of No 3 above 100ppm which is more than European drinking water standard is found to occur in SE and E part of the study area which comprises of recent alluvium. Above zones were found to put for maximum agricultural operation by applying Verm icomposit for crop production in the study area. Key words: Spatial distribution, groundwater quality, Major ions, Paravanar and India 1. Introduction Water is essential for sustenance of life. India, like any other developing country of the world, is facing increasing environmental problems. The vast population and ever increasing industrial activities in India, makes its water resources more vulnerable to water quality deterioration. The groundwater resources are at higher risk as its remediation is very difficult. The major anthropogenic activities for continuous groundwater quality deterioration are urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture run off. Also the problem of drinking water contamination, water conservation, and water quality management has assumed a very important role for sustainable development of countries, such as India (Prashant et al., 2010). 914

2 GIS based spatial distribution mapping groundwater suitability evaluation of groundwater quality for domestic and agricultural purposes were carried out Sanjay Kumar et.al. 2010, Anbazhagan and Nair 2004, Shankar et al 2010, 2011, Swarna Latha.P and Nageswara Rao.K They have used the geographical information system (GIS) to represent and understand the spatial variation of various geochemical elements in Panvel Basin, Maharashtra, India. Groundwater Geochemical mapping in hard rock area of Gadilam River basin, using GIS technique, Tamil Nadu (Aravindan et al. 2010).Moderate suitable zones are found in central part of the study area as for as Mg concentration is concerned. 2. Study area Figure 1: Location Map of the study area The Paravanar River Sub basin lies in the Cuddalore District of Tamil nadu state between the longitude יּto11º45 יּ 11º18 and latitude יּ 79º15 to יּ 79º45 (Figure.1) of the SOI toposheets 58M/6, 58M/7, 58M/10 and 11. The total area of Paravanar R sub basin is 930 sq km. It is bounded by Gadilam river basin on the north, Vellar basin in the south and Bay of Bengal on the east. Most part of the study area is a flat plain and slopping very gentle towards sea on east. The Red hills (Capper plateau) run parallel to the sea with an elevation of around 20 meters above MSL. The area has a tropical climate with the 915

3 highest and lowest temperatures recorded in June (43.30C) and January (10.40C), respectively. At the mine site, the average annual precipitation is 1369 mm with 55% and 45% rainfall from the NE and SW monsoons, respectively (R.Khan et al. 2005). The precipitation of this study area mainly depends upon northeast monsoon, which is cyclonic in nature and attributed to the development of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. Area receives an annual rainfall of 1,162 mm (IMD, PWD, 2007). The study area includes three opencast lignite mines (Mines I, IA and II), associated with three thermal power plants that are operated by Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (NLC) & STCM LFPP STCMS Lignite firing power plant at uttangal, Neyveli Geology of the Study area Paravanar River sub basin is mainly covered by sedimentary formation and about 70% of the basin area is occupied by Cuddalore sandstone of Tertiary age, consisting of laterite, sandstone, clay, silt, sand, etc. The remaining 30% of the basin area is covered by river alluvium and coastal alluvium. The Paranavar river sub basin is mainly restricted to the Tertiary and Quaternary formations (Figure.2). The river Paravanar originates from the Cuddalore sandstone of Tertiary age. This formation is completely composed of mottled argillaceous sandstone (Balasundar, 1968). The Cuddalore sandstone occurs at capper plateau south of cuddalore town and is made up of sandstone, clay and silt. The lower Cuddalore sandstone is unconsolidated at few places. The sandstones is found intercalated with clay lenses and covered by lateritic formation (Selvaraj and Ramasamy, 1998). The major soil types found in this basin are Inceptisol, Entisol, Alfisol and Vertisol. Figure 2: Shows the geology of study area 916

4 3. Materials and Methods 3.1 Sample analysis and Analytical techniques Major Elements were analyzed from 35 groundwater samples collected during post monsoon season (2009) from bore wells of Paravanar River Sub Basin (Figure 3). Water samples collected in the field were analysed for chemical constituents such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, sulphate, nitrate, fluoride and total dissolved solids (TDS), in the laboratory using the standard methods as suggested by the American Public Health Association (ALPHA 1989, 1995). ph and total dissolved solids were measured in the field by using water proof pocket testers. Specific conductance bridge and ph meter were used to determine the electric conductance at 25 C and ph, respectively. The water sample bottles were thoroughly washed with acid, and then with distilled water in the laboratory before filling the bottle with the sample. The precise latitude and longitude of the sampling points were determined by GARMIN 12 Channel Global Positioning System (GPS). The location of the sampling points is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3: shows the Groundwater sample locations of study area 917

5 Table 1: Analytical methods adopted for physicochemical analysis Parameter Method Instruments ph In situ Field kit EC Digital Conductivity Meter Field Kit TDS Indirect method (Raghunath, 2003) 0.64*EC µs/m Sodium &Pottasium Flame photometry Flame Photometer CL 361 (Elico Ltd) Calcium & Spectrophotometer SL27 Spectrometry Magnesium (Elico Ltd.,) Chloride Volumetric Titration Bi carbonate Volumetric Titration Sulphate & Nitrate Turbidity Spectrophotometer SL27 (Elico Ltd.,) 4. Results and Discussion 4.1. Physical characters of ground water Electrical Conductivity (EC) Spatial distribution of Ec Figure 4: Spatial distribution of Electrical Conductivity (EC) 918

6 Table 2: Chemical parameter of groundwater samples in Paravanar Sub basin (Post monsoon) S.N O Location Name ph EC TDS Ca Mg Na K HC O 3 Cl So 4 NO 3 TH 1 Arasakkulli Edakuppam Mudanai Melkuppam U.Mangalam Neyveli Vadalur Apaddharanapuram Terkumekur Sorattur Muttandikuppam Sattankuppam Kovilankuppam Kullanchavadi Pudukuppam Vegakollai Vengadampettai Muttukrishnapuram Karunguli Kulakkudi Arangamangalam Adur Agaram Kummadimulai Sattapadi Talaikkulam Kannarapettai Pudur Sembadakuppam Sangllikuppam Alappakkam Tiruttinainagar Ayyampettai Periyapattu Panjankuppam Manikkollai Note: All parameters expressed in mg/l except ph and EC; where EC in μs/cm, ph has no units 919

7 In the study area, the measured Ec values ranges between microsiemens/cm in the groundwater samples.the highest value of 6160 microsiemens/cm is found to occur in the Aduragaram near to the Perumal Eri South (Figure 4). In NE (adjacent to SIPCOT industrial complex) & SSE upto sattapadi of the study area. Above high concentration (1500 microsiemens/cm) of Ec represent the connate nature of groundwater adjacent to the coast to indicate the increasing age. This indicates the upwelling of connate water due to increase in pumpage of groundwater Hydrogen Ion Concentration (ph) In the study area, the very lowest ph value of 6.2 has been observed at Arasakkulli and Sorattur and the highest value of ph 7.7 is at Kummadimulai and Alappakkam during the post monsoon season (Figure.5). Spatial distribution of ph Figure 5: Spatial distribution of Hydrogen Ion Concentration (ph) Most of the samples are falling in the range of 6.4 to 7.5 in Paravanar river Sub basin. The condition of groundwater was moderately saline to strongly alkaline in South and SE of the study area where recent alluvium is encountered as lithology. The distribution of ph in groundwater of different locations is given in Figure 5. West, SW, NW and NE part of the study area has low ph value (>7 acidic) may be due to lateritized sand stone as a host rocks industrial & mining activity. Rest of the area is found to be saline in nature (Figure.5). 920

8 Total Hardness as CaCo3 (TH) Total hardness is a measure of the capacity of water to the concentration of calcium and magnesium in water and is usually expressed as the equivalent of CaCO 3 concentration. In the present study, the total hardness of the post monsoon waters ranges between and 649 mg/l. The lowest concentration of ppm hardness is identified at Sattankuppam and the highest concentration is observed at Kulakkudi (Figure 6). In the absence of alternative source of water, the maximum permissible limit is 600 mg/l (BIS, 2003). Abundance of carbonate hardness may be attributed due to dissolution of Aragonite bearing minerals due to pedological differenceation in sedimentary cycle of deposition. Spatial distribution of hardness Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Figure 6: Spatial distribution of hardness Electrical conductivity of water is considered to be an indication of the total dissolved salt content (Hem, 1985). A rapid estimation of total dissolved solids content in water is obtained by EC. In the basin South East of Vadalur, Soratur, Kovilankuppam, Adur agaram, Panjankuppam and Manikollai areas has shown more than 1000 ppm value in TDS condition (Figure 7). It means, the condition of the water has no problem as for as fitness for irrigation. Other location has the moderate condition in TDS. 921

9 Spatial distribution of TDS Figure 7: Spatial distribution of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 4.2. Chemical Characteristics of Ground water Calcium (Ca) Spatial distribution of calcium Figure 8: Spatial distribution of calcium 922

Calcium (Ca) is subjected to standard method of analyses in the study area. Samples were collected during 2008. (Post monsoon), the highest value of 135.

10 Calcium (Ca) is subjected to standard method of analyses in the study area. Samples were collected during (Post monsoon), the highest value of ppm was found to occur at Kulakkudi and the low concentration of ppm was observed at Sattankuppam. The calcium was found to be more in groundwater as it is found to occur from sedimentary sandstone. Source of calcium in the study area is due to weathering of Calcium from Aragonite bearing minerals from sedimentary rocks (Herman Bower 1978). Calcium abundance of 100ppm was found to occur in south due SE of Neyveli mines & in the East where Ca has occurr as ppt in groundwater (Figure. 8) Magnesium (Mg) Magnesium (Mg) is the second dominant ion in the study area. The maximum value of is observed at Kulakkudi. The minimum concentration of magnesium is observed at Kovilankuppam (3.77). Rest of the study area has moderate concentration. Most of the groundwater contains relatively small amount of magnesium due to magnesium rich evaporates occurring in the coastal region which could cause magnesium to become dominant cation in the groundwater. Magnesium concentration in groundwater was found to occur more than 30ppm in the south of the study area. Spatial distribution of magnesium Figure 9: Spatial distribution of magnesium 923

11 Sodium (Na) Maximum concentration of sodium (Na) had been observed in Manikkollai ( ppm) during post monsoon. The minimum concentration is observed at U.Mangalam (37 ppm). Most of the area has the moderate values which are found in the study area (Table.2; Figure 10). The possible source of sodium might be from deep percolating water from the top soil layers due to atmospheric precipitation that has been subjected to such concentration effects (Herman Bower, 1978).SE corridor of study area from south of sathapadi to coast through periyapattu have concentration from ppm may be due to upwelling of sodium salt from concealed marine sediments beneath recent alluvium. Spatial distribution of sodium Potassium (K) Figure 10: Spatial distribution of sodium In Paravanar sub basin, highest value of Potassium (K) was observed as ppm at Manikollai in SE to coast during 2009 and the lowest value of 2.00 ppm at several well locations in N of study area.(figure.11) Generally, the study area has its Potassium concentration ranging from 2 ppm to 170 ppm. Source of Potassium may be attributed due to weathering of keolinite and other clayey bearing host rocks of tertiary age. 924

12 Spatial distribution of potassium Chloride (Cl) Figure 11: Spatial distribution of potassium Spatial distribution of Chloride Figure 12: Spatial distribution of Chloride 925

13 Chloride ion occurs in natural water in fairly low concentration, usually less than 100 mg/l, unless the water is brackish or saline. Chloride is used by human in many applications and can be added to the subsurface via industrial discharges, sewage, animal wastes and road salting. Chloride bearing rock minerals such as sodalite and chloroapatite, which form very minor constituents of igneous, metamorphic rocks and liquid inclusions comprises very insignificant fraction of the rock volume and form as minor source of chloride in ground water. Poor chloride (Saline hazard zone) is found to be concentrated along the South East part of the study area. Chloride concentration is classified based on ISI standard, less than 100 ppm as good zone suitable for drinking. Moderate ground water suitable zone is categorized under the class of ppm. Alappakkam represent the maximum Cl 2 concentration of 363 ppm, which is more than ISI Standard for drinking by 250 ppm is poor zone (Figure 12) Bicarbonate Spatial distribution of Bicarbonate Figure 13: Spatial distribution of Bicarbonate HCO 3 concentration is classified based on WHO s standard, < 100 ppm is categorized as poor zone which is suitable for industrial activity (Figure.13). Moderate Zone is found to occur in North West, SE, East and in central part of the study area by considering the concentration less than 250 ppm (Figure 13). Good zone is found to occur in Southern 926

14 part of the study area by considering the concentration greater than 250 ppm. As groundwater samples represent Post Monsoon it is safer from carbonate hardness, Most of the samples represents the maximum Hco 3 concentration of >250 ppm, which is less than the ISI (1983) standard of drinking (500 ppm). Here source of Hco 3 may be attributed by S0 4 reducing bacteria from sand stone to release Co 2 by dissolution Nitrate (No 3 ) In Paravanar sub basin, maximum concentration of Nitrate (No 3 ) had been observed in Panjankuppam (211 ppm) during post monsoon. The minimum concentration is observed at Abadhanapuram (56.3 ppm). Most of the areas have the moderate values which are found in the area (Figure 14). Maximum concentration of No3 above 100ppm which is more than European drinking water standard is found to occur in SE and E part of the study area which comprises of recent alluvium. Above zones were found to put for maximum agricultural operation in the study area. Spatial distribution of Nitrate Sulphate (SO 4 ) Figure 14: Spatial distribution of Nitrate Sulphate is naturally occurring anion in all kinds of natural waters. Sulphate produces an objectionable taste at mg/l. As per ISI standard desirable limit for drinking is 150 ppm. Sulphate concentration is classified based on the above standards as soft zone, good zones suitable for drinking is fixed as less than 200 ppm. 927

15 Spatial distribution of Sulphate Figure 15: Spatial distribution of Sulphate Areas having concentration of sulphate between ppm were classified as moderate ground water suitable zones. Concentration above 400 ppm was categorized as poor ground water zones. Sulphate above 400 ppm along with mg individually at 30 ppm may likely to cause gastro intestinal irritation. In the study area sulphates are found to be within prescribed limit for drinking within the study area (Figure 15) 5. Conclusion Most of the samples ph value was found to be in the range of 6.4 to 7.5 in the study area. Condition of ground water was moderately saline to strongly alkaline in south and SE part of the study area where recent alluvium is encountered as litho units. West, SW, NW and NE part of the study area has low ph value of 7 due to lateralized sand stone host rock and mining industry in the above zones. So, groundwater was found to be acidic. Measured Ec values ranges between microsiemens/cm in ground water samples. The highest value of 6160 microsiemens/cm is found to occur in Adur agaram south of Perumal Eri. In NE adjacent to SIPCOT industrial complex & SSE upto Sathapadi of the study area represents the doubtful water class (>1500 µs/cm). Reasons for such high conductance of groundwater sample in Adur agaram may be due to abstraction of conate water from concealed marine sediments beneath recent alluvium. 928

16 Highest concentration of hardness in groundwater is observed in Kulakudi. Abundance of Caco 3 hardness may be attributed due to dissolution of aragonite bearing minerals by the way of pedological differenceaction in the preceding sedimentary cycle of deposition. Calcium abundance of 100 ppm was found to occur in southern part of study area due SE of Neyveli mines & in the east where Calcium has occurred as precipitate in groundwater. Fe concentration of more than 1ppm has occurred in SE between Periyapattu & sathapadi due to rusting of Fe from tertiary upland and chemical reaction of saline salt with FeSio 4 adjacent to coast. SE corridor of study area from south of sathapadi to coast through periyapattu has concentration of Na ranging from ppm due to upwelling of sodium salt from concealed marine sediments beneath recent alluvium. Spatial distribution of chloride and sodium shows the NE SW trend of concentration ranging from 150 to 400 ppm in above ions to validate Nacl 2 type of groundwater. Hco 3 concentration is classified based on WHO s standard < 100 ppm is categorized as poor zone, which is suitable for industrial activity in south central, North, NE and in west. Already industries were situated in above zones like NLC South Central, ST CMS LFP plant west, Cuddalore SIPCOT complex NE etc. Maximum concentration of No 3 above 100ppm which is more than European drinking water standard is found to occur in SE and E part of the study area which comprises of recent alluvium. Above zones were found to put for maximum agricultural operation by applying Vermicomposit for crop production in the study area. In Adur agaram maximum concentration in TDS of 3942 ppm was observed. This may be due to upwelling connate water of confined aquifer due to depressurizing operation in Neyveli mine I, IA and mine II which are due WNW of above location. Concept of saline water ingression also cannot be ruled out because 800 ppm of TDS contours open up in SE corner of the study area beyond coast. Acknowledgement Authors are grateful to UGC with vide Lr.No. F.No (SR) dt & for funding Major Research project HYCH MAP to carry out the above work and deeply indebted to their institution for providing infrastructure facilities. 6. References 1. ALPHA (1989), Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater, 17th edn. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC. 929

17 2. ALPHA (1995), Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 19th edn. American public Health Association, Washington, DC. 3. Anbazhagan S, Nair AM (2004), Geographic information system and groundwater quality mapping in Panvel Basin, Maharashtra, India, Journal of Environmental Geology 45: Aravindan.S, Shankar.K, Poovalinga Ganesh.B and Dharani Rajan.K (2010), Groundwater Geochemical mapping of in the hard rock area of Gadilam River basin, using GIS technique, Tamil Nadu, Indian Journal of Applied Geochemistry, 12(2), PP Balasundar, N.K. (1968), Tertiary deposits of Neyveli Lignite field. Geol. Soc. India, Mem. No.2, pp BIS., Indian standards specifications for drinking water IS:10500, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, Hem,J.D.,(1985), Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water U.S. Geol. Surv. Water Supply Paper, 2254, pp Herman and Bower., (1978), Groundwater Quality, Groundwater Hydrology, Mc.Graw Hill Kogakusha Ltd., Tokyo, pp Prashant N. Rajankar Dilip H. Tambekar Satish R. Wate (2010), Groundwater quality and water quality index at Bhandara District, Environ Monit Assess, DOI /s y. 10. R. Khan, S.H. Israili, H. Ahmad, and A. Mohan,(2005), Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment in Surface Water Bodies and its Suitability for Irrigation around the Neyevli Lignite Mines and Associated Industrial Complex, Tamil Nadu, India, Mine Water and the Environment (2005) 24: pp. 11. Raghunath,H.M., Groundwater, New Age International (P) Ltd., New Delhi,2003, pp Sanjay Kumar Goyal et. al (2010), GIS based spatial distribution mapping and suitability evaluation of groundwater quality for domestic and agricultural purpose in Kaithal district, Haryana state, India. Environ Earth Sci DOI /s z 13. Selvaraj, K. and Ramasamy, S. (1998), Depositional environment of Cuddalore sandstone formation, Tamil Nadu. Jr. Geol. Soc. India, 1(51), pp

18 14. Shankar.K, Aravindan.S, Rajendran.S, (2011), Hydrogeochemistry of the Paravanar River Sub basin, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, E Journal of Chemistry, 8(2), pp Shankar.K, Aravindan.S, Rajendran.S, (2010), GIS based Groundwater Quality Mapping in Paravanar River Sub Basin, Tamil Nadu, India, International Journal of Geomatics and Geosciences. 1(3), pp Swarna Latha.P, Nageswara Rao.K (2010), Assessment and Spatial Distribution of Quality of Groundwater in ZoneII and III, Greater Visakhapatnam, India Using Water Quality Index (WQI) and GIS. International Journal of Environmental Sciences 1(2), pp WHO, (1989), Health Guidelines for the use of waste water in agriculture and aquaculture. Report of a WHO Scientific Group, WHO Technical Report Series 778, 74 pp 18. World Health Organization (WHO), (1984), Guidelines for drinking water quality V. 1 Recommendations.Switzerland: Geneva, pp

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