Assessing Groundwater Quality of Chatha Region of Jammu and Kashmir, India Using Water Quality Index and Irrigation Indices

IJEP 44(7): 579-590 : Vol. 44 Issue. 7 (July 2024)

Indica Mohan1*, Kanika Chib1, Sarita Kumari2 and Deepak Pathania1

1. Central University of Jammu Bagla (Rahya-Suchani), Department of Environmental Sciences, Samba – 181 143, Jammu and Kashmir, India
2. Sardar Patel University, Department of Zoology, Mandi – 175 001, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The current study evaluates the water quality index of groundwater in the Chatha region of Jammu district, Jammu and Kashmir (UT). Water samples from 15 different sites during winter and summer seasons were tested for various physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, total dissolved solids, pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, dissolved oxygen, calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity, phosphate, nitrate, sodium, potassium, sulphate and chloride were tested using APHA standard methods. The results were compared to BIS values to determine compliance with acceptable limits. The water quality index rated fourteen sites under excellent and one site under good category for both winter and summer seasons. Additionally, the irrigation suitability was evaluated using Kelley’s index, sodium adsorption ratio and sodium hazard, all of which showed that the groundwater is suitable for irrigation purposes. Concentrations of total hardness, sulphate, calcium, magnesium and total alkalinity were found within acceptable limits. Total dissolved solids, pH and chloride levels were found to be below acceptable limits. The overall order of major ion concentrations in the winter season was recorded as SO42->Mg2+>Ca2+>Na+>Cl>NO3>K+>PO43-, while in summer season, it was SO42-> Ca2+>Mg2+>Na+>Cl>NO3> PO43->K+. Notably, TDS exhibited a significant positive correlation with total alkalinity, nitrate, sodium, dissolved oxygen, sulphate and chloride during the summer season, alongwith a significant negative correlation with pH. In the winter season, total dissolved solids, total hardness, electrical conductivity, magnesium, calcium, total alkalinity, nitrate, sodium, sulphate and chloride showed significant positive correlations. Conversely, dissolved oxygen exhibited a significant negative correlation with chloride, sodium, magnesium and total hardness. In conclusion, the study suggests that continuous monitoring of groundwater is advisable for future assessment of various parameters.

Keywords

Water quality index, Irrigation indices, Sodium adsorption ratio, Sodium hazard, Kelley’s index

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