Evaluation of the Seasonal Variation on the Hydrogeochemical Parameters and Quality Assessment of the Springs in Nelliyampathy; Kerala- Southern Western Ghats India: The Contribution of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors

Abstract

Abstract Groundwater is a life-sustaining resource that plays a central part in irrigated agriculture and influences the health of many ecosystems. For fresh water supplies, groundwater in the form of springs has been the traditional and conventional source for the rural communities as well as for peri-urban and urban areas of Indian subcontinent. The springs originate from the underground aquifers which are recharged with rainwater. To assess natural and anthropogenic impacts on spring water chemistry, seasonal and spatial hydrochemical changes in 13 springs water samples were studied in the high land of Nelliyampathy region of western Ghats Kerala. The analyses investigated major cation, anion, and trace element concentrations. Moreover, water temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH were measured in the field. The irrigation quality parameters such as sodium adsorption ratio, %Na, residual sodium carbonate, residual sodium bicarbonate, Kelley’s index, potential salinity, magnesium hazard, Mg/Ca ratio and permeability index were calculated and discussed. Hydrochemical interpretation suggests two main groups of samples. Furthermore, groundwater chemistry was found mainly influenced by evaporation–crystallization in Gibbs variation diagram. This study suggested that spring water is unsafe for drinking purpose without purification and quality measures should be considered while cropping in its irrigation use.