Hydrogeochemical Evaluation and Groundwater Quality Assessment in Madurai South Taluk, Tamil Nadu, India | ||||
| Journal of Environmental Studies | ||||
| Volume 39, Issue 1, September 2025, Page 25-44 PDF (1.55 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: High quality original papers | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jesj.2025.390385.1130 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Ravi M   1; Dinesh Kumar M2; Tholkapiyan M3; Venkatraman V4
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| 1M. Ravi, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Pin code: 602105 | ||||
| 2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Pin code. 602105 | ||||
| 3Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. | ||||
| 4Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Solamalai College of Engineering, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| This study presents a hydrogeochemical evaluation and groundwater quality assessment of Madurai South Taluk, Tamil Nadu, India. An agriculturally intensive region where groundwater is the primary source for irrigation and drinking. Groundwater samples collected from 2008 to 2022, during both pre- and post-monsoon seasons, were analyzed for key physicochemical parameters. These were compared against BIS:10500 (2012) and WHO (2011) guidelines for drinking water, and BIS:11624 (1986) standards for irrigation suitability. Parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, CO₃²⁻, NO₃⁻, F⁻, SAR, RSC, and Na% were assessed. Box and Whisker plots for 2022 indicated that most samples fell within acceptable limits for both drinking and irrigation. However, a few samples exhibited elevated salinity or poor sodium and potassium levels, limiting their suitability. Piper Trilinear Diagrams revealed NaCl and mixed CaNaHCO₃ types predominating during the pre-monsoon, shifting to CaHCO₃ and mixed CaMgCl types post-monsoon attributed to ion exchange and surface contamination. The Gibbs Diagram suggested that most samples were influenced by evaporation processes and anthropogenic activities such as irrigation return flow, while a few indicated rock-water interactions involving silicate and carbonate dissolution. The USSL Diagram for 2022 showed that 7 out of 9 pre-monsoon and 8 out of 12 post-monsoon samples were suitable for irrigation, reflecting variable salinity and sodium hazards. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and integrated water management in the region. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Physicochemical parameters; Piper Trilinear Diagram; Gibbs Diagram; USSL Diagram; Irrigation suitability | ||||
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