Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Hydrogeochemical Investigation of Groundwater Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation: Associated Health and Socio-Economic Risks – A Case Study of Lower Ponnaiyar River Basin, Tamil Nadu |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Focus area : | Water Quality, Hydrogeochemistry |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. P.Masilamani, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | masilamani@bdu.ac.in |
Details
Executive Summary : | Groundwater is a crucial component for the drinking and irrigation purpose around the globe and is a significant component to attain sustainable future. Due to increasing population, urbanization and industrialization, the groundwater quality is decreasing at an alarming rate. This poor quality of groundwater is further contaminated by the addition of heavy metals which have a greater effect on human health. The basins are the naturally bounded area which are at high risk of deterioration of groundwater quality that has to be investigated with reference to groundwater pollution and associated human health risks. The framework has been set up to collect suitable groundwater samples from the study area during pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The samples will be investigated for major cations, anions and heavy metals in the laboratory using standard analytical procedures which are adopted globally by numerous researchers. Multivariate statistical methods such as Correlation Matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) would be used to cluster the parameters. To understand the nature of the groundwater characteristics, piper’s trilinear diagram, the USSL diagram, Chloro-Alkaline Indices and Saturation Indices would be applied. Water Quality Index would be calculated by using the results of major cations and anions to evaluate the drinking suitability. The irrigation suitability will be examined using various chemical factors. Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) would be determined using the results of heavy metal concentration. The Total Hazard Index (THI) would be calculated by using the concentration of fluoride to examine the human health risk of the study area. This study would be helpful to the policymakers to evolve suitable management strategies to manage these precious water resources. |
Total Budget (INR): | 27,26,284 |
Organizations involved