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

Anant Gautam, Suresh Chand Rai and Shive Prakash Rai
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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

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-20

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.

Keywords: anthropogenic activities; over-extraction; groundwater quality; composite groundwater quality index for irrigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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