Hydrogeochemical Evaluation of Groundwater for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes in Avudaiyarkoil Block, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation in the Avudaiyarkoil block of the Pudukottai district, which is a drought-prone region. Samples were collected from 20 wells on January 2021 and analysed for the water quality parameters, such as pH, EC, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3, SO4, NO3 and F-. The analysis revealed that SO4 is the dominant ion followed by Cl-, HCO3-, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3- and F- with respect to the mean value 292>234>208.4>125>100>24.75>18>16.15>0.2. The analytical results were compared with WHO and BIS guideline values to know the groundwater potability and TH, TA, SAR, Na%, RSC, PI, MgC and KI were calculated using the analytical results to identify the suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes.