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Assessment of Groundwater Quality beneath Agriculturally Advanced Region of Northern Alluvial Plain, India

Author

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  • Anant Gautam

    (Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India)

  • Suresh Chand Rai

    (Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India)

  • Shive Prakash Rai

    (Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India)

Abstract

In the present study, groundwater suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes was analyzed in the alluvial aquifers of the Bist-Doab region of Punjab, India, using various indices such as WQI, WAWQI, MCDA, RSC, SAR, PI, %Na, KR, MH, PS, K, and K a . Since it is difficult to assess the suitability of groundwater for irrigation based on various indices individually, a composite groundwater quality index for irrigation (CGQII) was used in the study which transforms nine indices to a single value for each sample. Results reveal that the groundwater of a few blocks was found unsuitable for domestic use due to chemical leaching from fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural and industrial wastes. Whereas, the groundwater of mainly southwestern parts was found unsuitable for irrigation due to long-term water accumulation in aquifers and continuous use of sodium-ion-rich groundwater. The findings conclude that anthropogenic activities have played a significant role in making groundwater unfit for domestic and irrigation purposes in the study area. The present study also emphasizes continuous monitoring and evaluation of groundwater quality, which will help in strategic planning and management for the conservation of groundwater resources in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Anant Gautam & Suresh Chand Rai & Shive Prakash Rai, 2021. "Assessment of Groundwater Quality beneath Agriculturally Advanced Region of Northern Alluvial Plain, India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7053-:d:580518
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kamra, S. K. & Lal, Khajanchi & Singh, O. P. & Boonstra, J., 2002. "Effect of pumping on temporal changes in groundwater quality," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 56(2), pages 169-178, July.
    2. Chandrashekhar Bhuiyan & Prashant Kumar Champati Ray, 2017. "Groundwater Quality Zoning in the Perspective of Health Hazards," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(1), pages 251-267, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongnian Chen & Xianfeng Tan & Yan Zhang & Bo Hu & Shuming Xu & Zhenfen Dai & Zhengxuan Zhang & Zhiye Wang & Yawei Zhang, 2023. "Study on Groundwater Function Zoning and Sustainable Development and Utilization in Jining City Planning Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-22, August.

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