Application Of Geology And Remote Sensing In The Groundwater Potential Zones In Drought Prone Areas Of Parbhani District, Maharashtra, India

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1 Application Of Geology And Remote Sensing In The Groundwater Potential Zones In Drought Prone Areas Of Parbhani District, Maharashtra, India R.B. Muley, Md. Babar, S.M. Atkore and B.B. Ghute Department of Geology, Dnyanopasak College, Parbhani (M.S.) Abstract The geology describes the environment in which the hydrological processes operate. The types of basalt occurring in the area are compact basalt, vesicular-amygdaloidal basalt and red bole beds (Tachylitic bands) as observed in the well sections. The weathered amygdaloidal basalt and highly jointed compact basalt act as good aquifers. This shows that the aquifer characteristics are primarily depends on the types of rock, intensity of weathering and presence of jointing and fractures in the rocks. Dug wells are recommended in the weathered amygdaloidal basalt and highly jointed compact basalt. Most of the dug wells in the amygdaloidal basalt and compact basalt with non-interconnected joints dry up during pre monsoon period hence bore wells and dug-cum bore wells are recommended for these areas. Introduction Water is a primary source of life and sustains all human activities such as domestic needs, agriculture, industries etc. The allocation and management of water resources is becoming a difficult task due to increasing demands, decreasing supply and diminishing quality. This calls for judicious use of water resources. The geology describes the environment in which the hydrological processes operate. A strong mutual correlation exists between geological variables and hydrological characteristics. Such relationship can be applied to both surface and groundwater regime. Thus the linking of geological parameters with hydrological characteristics of the area provides a simple way to understand the hydrogeological behaviour of the area (especially draught prone areas). Remote sensing provides multi-spectral, multitemporal and multi-sensor data of the earth s surface. One of the greatest advantages of using remote sensing data for hydrological investigations and monitoring is its ability to generate information in spatial and temporal domain, which is very crucial for successful analysis, prediction and validation. Satellite data provides quick and useful baseline information on the parameters controlling the occurrence and movement of groundwater like geology, lithology/structural, geomorphology, soils, land use/cover, lineaments etc. Hence geological and remote sensing data has been utilized for delineation of groundwater potential zones in the drought prone areas of Parbhani district of Maharashtra. Study Area Parbhani district in Maharashtra state is bounded by latitude N and N and longitude E and E covering total geographical area of 4522sq. km (Fig. 1). The Godavari River, the Purna, the Dudhana, the Karpara River and their tributaries mainly drain the study area. The climate of the district is Semi arid, humid and subtropical. The average annual rainfall in the district is about 909 mm and temperature goes up to 42 0 C in summer and comes down to 11 0 C in winter season. Data Source and Methodology Base maps are prepared from these maps showing permanent features such as road, railway, canal, settlement, co-ordinates etc. Visual image interpretation of IRS-1B, LISS-II

2 geocoded false color composites (FCC) of bands 2,3 and 4 on 1: 50,000 scale of the area pertaining to path 27 Row 54 have been carried out for delineation of various hydrogeological features and corresponding groundwater prospect zones on the basis of image characteristics including tone, contrast, textures, size, shape and patterns. Boundaries of each delineated hydrogeological categories have been transferred on to the base maps. The preliminary interpreted thematic maps were checked in field in selected locations for increasing the accuracy of hydrogeological maps. Final hydrogeological map on 1: 50,000 scale showing groundwater prospect zones was prepared (Fig.2). Results and Discussion Geology Geologically, the entire study area is covered by Deccan Basalt formations comprising nearly horizontal lava flows. These flows have been considered to be a result of fissure type of lava eruption during late Cretaceous to early Eocene period. The types of basalt occurring in the area are compact basalt, vesicularamygdaloidal basalt and red bole beds (Tachylitic bands) as observed in the well sections. The Deccan Basalt in this area has been assigned to Ajanta formations, which are stratigraphic equivalents of Upper Ratangad formations of Western Maharashtra comprising compound flows (Godbole et al, 199). The area is traversed by various directional fractures / lineaments and most of them are in NW SE, ENE WSW and E W directions (Fig.2). The micro-lineaments are found to be better repositories of groundwater. Lineaments look as narrow linear features with dark tone due to high moisture content and look red due to presence of vegetation. Presence of lineaments in a geomorphic unit increases the prospects of groundwater (Murthy and Jayram, 199; Thorat and Sable, 1990). The Quaternary to Recent alluvium covers these basalts along the Purna, Dudhana, Karpara and Godavari rivers. Average alluvial thickness in the Parbhani district is about 10 to 15 meters (Babar and Kaplay, 1999). Hydrogeology In Deccan Basalt terrain groundwater occurs under phreatic conditions in the exposed lave flows and under semiconfined conditions in the flows at deeper level. Lithological constraints dictate that groundwater is present in the pore spaces of the vesicular basalt and in the jointed and fractured portions of massive parts of the flows. The primary porosity in the basalts is associated with the vesicles, which are the pore spaces developed due to the escape of volatile and gases when the lava erupts on the surface as a lava flow. This primary porosity in the basalt is naturally limited and related to the quantum of gasses/volatile in the eruptive phase, which resulted in the basalt flow. The groundwater in the study area therefore is restricted mostly to the zones of secondary porosity developed in these rocks due to fractures, joints and weathering. From the hydrogeological point of view, the frequency and extent of jointing, fracturing and the flow contacts and weathering along them are the most significant parameters imparting permeability and porosity for forming suitable groundwater reservoirs in the Deccan Basalt terrain. The vesicular zones occurring in the upper parts of flows or units, though porous, are not permeable, as the vesicles are not interconnected. Secondly, the vesicles are generally filled with amygdules, green earth, glassy material etc. The red bole layer, flow breccia with secondary mineral development and the massive parts of the flow, with noninterconnected joints, are impervious (Karmarkar et al, 1994; Murthy and Jayram, 199 and Thorat and Sable, 1990). The secondary porosity (joints and fractures) generally reduces with depth and hence the near surface (unconfined) aquifer system rarely, extends below 30 m depth (Agashe, 1990). The northern and southern parts of the Parbhani district being hilly terrain are drought prone (Fig.2) and faces the problem of acute water scarcity. On account of its hilly terrain

3 these areas of the Parbhani district except for a few sources, faces shortage of drinking water. There is frequent drought problem in these regions. Although the area receives assured annual rainfall from mm, most of it flows away as runoff without recharging the groundwater reservoir. As groundwater is a prime natural resource, serves as an important source of water for various purposes in rural and urban areas (Kulkarni, 1994; Adyalkar et al, 199; Goswami et al, 199; Srinivasa Rao et al, 1997; Bhagwan, 1998 and Patil et al, 1999). The National Drinking water Technology mission has laid emphasis on the development of groundwater resources using satellite remote sensing technique which result in less capital cost (Ghosh, 1988). In many earlier studies remote sensing techniques have been applied for groundwater prospecting in Deccan trap hard rock terrain (Babar, 2001; Babar, 2002; Choudhari and Saraf, 2001; Rai et al 2001 and Sable, 2002). IRS-1B, LISS-II geocoded data was used for preparation of hydrogeological maps on 1:50,000 scale which highlights hydrogeological environment prevailing in Parbhani district and would help in formulating plans in executing groundwater exploration programs to meet out water requirement for drinking and other purposes in the drought prone areas. Water table depth in Deccan trap region generally varies with topography and the nature of aquifer (Agrawal, 1987; Khadri et al, 1988; Patil, 1990; Bhatt and Salpekar, 1990; Agrawal, 1995 and Adyalkar et al, 199). The change in groundwater level represents the change in the groundwater storage. Todd (1995) relates the fluctuation in groundwater level to the relation of aquifer. Karanth (1989) describes the magnitude of water level fluctuation with respect to climate, topography, geology, geomorphology, soil and field of the formations. The wells located in weathered amygdaloidal basalts in the drought prone areas have the water table fluctuation 3.9 to 5.5 m bgl with average yield of 55 lpm in dug wells and.5 to 18.2 m bgl with average yield of 80 lpm in bore wells (Table 1), where as those located in the areas with fracture lineaments and artificial recharge structures such as check dames and percolation tanks have bearing on groundwater fluctuations (i.e. in dug wells 0.40 to 1.1 m bgl and 0.15 to 0.40 m bgl) and higher yield (i.e. the average yield of dug wells is 315 lpm and bore wells is 380 lpm). In jointed compact basalt in drought prone areas the groundwater fluctuation range from 4 to 5.4m bgl in dug wells and 5 to 11 m bgl in bore wells. It is observed that in drought prone areas the average yield in dug wells is 0 lpm and in bore wells it is 10 lpm, while in other areas it is greater (i.e. 250 lpm in dug wells and 320 lpm in bore wells), which are attributed to the lineaments and artificial recharge structures such as check dames and percolation tanks in these areas. Amygdaloidal basalt being unjointed and non porous is water tight mass, in these rocks the water table fluctuation in drought prone varies from 35-0 in dug wells and m bgl in bore wells, whereas in other areas it is m bgl in dug wells and 3.-. in bore wells (Table 1). The average yield is very low in drought prone areas (i.e. 45 lpm in dug wells and 0 lpm in bore wells) as compared to other areas (i.e. 145 lpm in dug wells and 20 lpm in bore wells) Conclusions The groundwater potentiality of the area has been assessed through integration of the hydrogeology, lineament, slope and aquifer thickness. The groundwater potential zones map generated (Fig 2) through the base map and remote sensing was verified with the yield data to ascertain the validity of the potential zones. The verification showed that the groundwater potential zones demarcated through the map are in agreement with the bore well yield data. Since the present approach was built with logical conditions and reasoning, this approach can be successfully used elsewhere with appropriate modifications. Thus, the above study has clearly demonstrated the capabilities of geological studies and remote sensing in demarcation of the different groundwater potential zones in drought prone areas.

4 The weathered amygdaloidal basalt and highly jointed compact basalt act as good aquifers. This shows that the aquifer characteristics are primarily depends on the types of rock, intensity of weathering and presence of jointing and fractures in the rocks. Dug wells are recommended in the weathered amygdaloidal basalt and highly jointed compact basalt. Most of the dug wells in the amygdaloidal basalt and compact basalt with non-interconnected joints dry up during pre monsoon period hence bore wells and dug-cum bore wells are recommended for these areas. Acknowledgement The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by UGC New Delhi under the project F. No /2007 (SR) dated We are also indebted to Principal Dr. P.L. More, for the encouragement and constant support for research. Table 1. Well inventory and yield particulars of the wells in drought prone and other areas of Parbhani District. Sr. No Litho Units Observation wells Range of depth (m) Range of depth to water (m bg1) Water table fluctuation Range of yield Av. Yield Type Nos Premonsoon Post monsoon (m) (1pm) (lpm) Wells located in Drought prone areas 1 WAB DW JCB DW AB DW Wells located in other areas along fracture lineaments/water harvesting structures 4 WAB DW JCB DW AB DW DW Dug well Bore well WAB Weathered Amygdaloidal Basalt JCB Jointed Compact Basalt AB - Amygdaloidal Basalt References Adyalkar, P.G., Ayyangar, R.S., Tikekar, S.S. and Khare, Y.D. (199). Groundwater potential of Deccan Flood Basalt of Nagpur District in Maharashtra: An imprint derived from satellite imagery In Deccan basalt, Gondwana Geol. Soc. Sp. Vol. 2, pp Agashe, R.M. (1990). Scope for artificial groundwater recharge in Deccan trap areas of Maharashtra an over view. Proec All India Seminar on modern Techniques of Rain water harvesting, water conservation and artificial recharge for Drinking water, afforestation horticulture and Agriculture. Pune, G.S.D.A. Publ. pp Agrwal, P.K. (1987). Groundwater resources and development potential of Parbhani district, Maharashtra CGWB Rep. No. 353/DR/9/87, pp Agrwal, P.K. (1995). The Techno-economic aspect of groundwater potential and development in Deccan flood basalts, Maharashtra, Gondwana Geol. Mag. Vol. 10, pp Babar, Md. (2001). Hydrogeomorphological studies by remote sensing application in Akoli Watershed (Jintur), Parbhani Dist., Maharashtra, India. In 'Spatial Information Technology: Remote Sensing and GIS-

5 ICORG' edited by I.V. Murali Krishna, Vol-II pp Babar, Md. (2002). Application of Remote Sensing in Hydrogeomorphological Studies of Purna River Basin in Parbhani District, Maharashtra, India. In proceeding volume of the international symposium of ISPRS Commission VII on Resource and Environmental Monitoring held during December 3-, 2002, Vol. XXXIV Part 7, pp Babar, Md. and Kaplay, R.D. (1999). Geomorphic characteristics of Quaternary sediments of Purna River Basin, Parbhani District. Gondwana Geol. Mags. Spl. Vol. No. 4, pp Bhagavan, S.V. BK(1998) Remote sensing techniques for watershed programmes in Andhra Pradesh. Proc. Of workshop on water shed management problems and prospects (WmPP98), Centre for water Resources, J.N. Technological Univ., Hyderabad, pp Bhatt, M.K. and Salpekar, P.R. (1990). Artificial recharge through bore wells in proble village Kaij, District Beed. Proc. Vol. Of seminar on Modern techniques of rainwater harvesting, water conservation and artificial recharge for drinking water, afforestation, horticulture and agriculture, pp Choudhari PR. and A.K. Saraf, Artificial Recharge site selection using GIS and Remote Sensing. In 'Spatial Information Technology: Remote Sensing and GIS- ICORG' edited by I.V. Murali Krishna, Vol-II pp Ghosh G. (1988), national Drinking Water Technology Mission Programmes, Min. of Rural Development, New Delhi, Godbole, S.M., Rana, R.S. and Natu, S.R. (199). Lava stratigraphy of Deccan basalts of Western Maharashtra. Gondwana Geo.Mag., Spl. Vol. 2., pp Goswami, D.C., Goswami, I.D., Duarah, B.P. and Deka, P.P. (199). Geomorphological mapping of Assam using satellite remote sensing technique. Indian J. Geomorph. Vol. 1 (2), pp Karanth, K.R. (1989). Hydrogeology, Tata McGraw Hill Publ. Co. Ltd., New Delhi, pp Karmarkar, B.M., Kulkarni, S.R. and Marathe, S.S. (1994) Basalt geology and recharge by percolation tanks, 2 nd international symposium on Artificial Recharge 1994, American Society of Civil Engineer. Khadri.S.F.R., Subbarao, K.V., Hooper, P.R. and Walsh, J.N.(1988). Stratigraphy of Thakurwadi formation, Western Deccan basalt province. Geol.Soc.India, mem. 10, pp Kulkarni, H., Deolankar, S.B., Lalwani, A. and Lele, V.A (1994). Integrated remote sensing as an operational aid in hydrogeological studies of Deccan basalt aquifer. Asian-pacific remote sensing J. (ESCAP), Vol. (12), pp Murthy, K.N. and Jayaram, K.M.(199). Groundwater resources and development potential of Parbhani district, Maharashtra, C.G.W.B Report on Annual Action Programme (1995-9). 702/DIS/9, Nagpur, pp Patil, B.S., Khadilkar, A.K. and Zambre, M.K. (1999). Shallow groundwater zones mapping by using remote sensing techniques: A case study around Pishore, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. In Seminar Vol. on Groundwater and watershed development at Jai Hind College,Dhule, pp.3-5. Patil, V.Y. (1990). Performance of bore wells in the Manjra basin in Beed Dist. Proc. Vol. Of seminar on Modern techniques of rainwater harvesting, water conservation and artificial recharge for drinking water, afforestation, horticulture and agriculture, pp Rai S.B., A.K. Joshi and Y.V.N. Krishna Murthy, Mapping of Groundwater potential Zone through Remote sensing and GIS A case study. In 'Spatial Information Technology: Remote Sensing and GIS-

6 ICORG' edited by I.V. Murali Krishna, Vol-II pp Photonirvachak ( J. Indian Soc. Sensing), Vol. 25(3), pp Rem. Sable, P.D. (2002). Watershed development and management through Engineering Geology: A case study of Hivre-Korda, Parner Tahsil of Ahmednagar District (Maharashtra). In proceeding volume of the international symposium of ISPRS Commission VII on Resource and Environmental Monitoring held during December 3-, 2002, Vol. XXXIV Part 7, pp Srinivasa Rao, Y., Krishna Raddy, T.V. and Nayudu, P.T. (1997). Hydrogeomorphological studies by remote sensing Application in Niva River basin, Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh. Thorat, P.K. and Sable, A.B. (1990). Importance of the Geological Mapping in selection of sites for artificial recharge in the Deccan Volcanics with reference to some case histories from Parmer Taluka of Ahmednagar Dist., Maharashtra. In Seminar Vol. On Modern Techniques of rainwater harvesting, water conservation and artificial drinking water afforestation, horticulture and agriculture, pp Todd, D.K. (1995). Groundwater hydrology. John Wiley and Sons. New York, pp Fig. 1. Location Map of Study Area

7 Fig. 2. Groundwater Potential Map of Parbhani District