Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis

Abstract The present study aims to evaluate the seasonal variations of geochemistry and groundwater quality in the Vallanadu region. Groundwater samples collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods were analyzed using spatial analysis, the Water Quality Index (WQI), rock-water interacti...

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Main Authors: D. Manimaran, S. Richard Abishek, V. Stephen Pitchaimani, A. Antony Ravindran, M. Soniyamary, Shankar Karuppannan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01381-9
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author D. Manimaran
S. Richard Abishek
V. Stephen Pitchaimani
A. Antony Ravindran
M. Soniyamary
Shankar Karuppannan
author_facet D. Manimaran
S. Richard Abishek
V. Stephen Pitchaimani
A. Antony Ravindran
M. Soniyamary
Shankar Karuppannan
author_sort D. Manimaran
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The present study aims to evaluate the seasonal variations of geochemistry and groundwater quality in the Vallanadu region. Groundwater samples collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods were analyzed using spatial analysis, the Water Quality Index (WQI), rock-water interaction, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). The WQI analysis revealed a significant deterioration in groundwater quality, with 60% of pre-monsoon samples classified as “Good,” 30% as “Fair,” and 10% as “Poor,” compared to 15% “Good,” 30% “Fair,” and 55% “Poor” or “Hazardous” post-monsoon, highlighting seasonal changes' influence. Hydrogeochemical facies analysis, through Piper diagrams, identified mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl− water as the dominant type, indicating marine intrusion and carbonate dissolution as major influencing factors. Rock-water interaction analysis highlighted silicate and carbonate weathering as primary geochemical processes, with seasonal recharge and evaporation shaping ion distributions. Statistical analyses including HCA and PCA, revealed distinct geochemical zones, with pre-monsoon periods showing higher ionic concentrations due to evaporation and reduced recharge, while post-monsoon periods were influenced by dilution and increased recharge. The findings underscore significant seasonal variations in groundwater quality and emphasize the growing impact of agricultural runoff, saline intrusion, and anthropogenic activities. The study highlights the urgent need for groundwater quality management in the Vallanadu region to ensure sustainable drinking and irrigation use.
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spelling doaj-art-31c1334493e24e4abbb61f7985f335922025-08-20T03:20:59ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-06-016112810.1007/s43621-025-01381-9Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysisD. Manimaran0S. Richard Abishek1V. Stephen Pitchaimani2A. Antony Ravindran3M. Soniyamary4Shankar Karuppannan5Research Department of Geology, V.O. Chidambaram CollegeNational Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of IndiaResearch Department of Geology, V.O. Chidambaram CollegeResearch Department of Geology, V.O. Chidambaram CollegeResearch scholar, Department of Physics, Manonmaniam Sundaranar UniversityDepartment of Applied Geology, College of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology UniversityAbstract The present study aims to evaluate the seasonal variations of geochemistry and groundwater quality in the Vallanadu region. Groundwater samples collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods were analyzed using spatial analysis, the Water Quality Index (WQI), rock-water interaction, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). The WQI analysis revealed a significant deterioration in groundwater quality, with 60% of pre-monsoon samples classified as “Good,” 30% as “Fair,” and 10% as “Poor,” compared to 15% “Good,” 30% “Fair,” and 55% “Poor” or “Hazardous” post-monsoon, highlighting seasonal changes' influence. Hydrogeochemical facies analysis, through Piper diagrams, identified mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl− water as the dominant type, indicating marine intrusion and carbonate dissolution as major influencing factors. Rock-water interaction analysis highlighted silicate and carbonate weathering as primary geochemical processes, with seasonal recharge and evaporation shaping ion distributions. Statistical analyses including HCA and PCA, revealed distinct geochemical zones, with pre-monsoon periods showing higher ionic concentrations due to evaporation and reduced recharge, while post-monsoon periods were influenced by dilution and increased recharge. The findings underscore significant seasonal variations in groundwater quality and emphasize the growing impact of agricultural runoff, saline intrusion, and anthropogenic activities. The study highlights the urgent need for groundwater quality management in the Vallanadu region to ensure sustainable drinking and irrigation use.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01381-9Hydrogeochemical analysisWater quality index (WQI)Principal componentSpatial distributionVallanadu Region
spellingShingle D. Manimaran
S. Richard Abishek
V. Stephen Pitchaimani
A. Antony Ravindran
M. Soniyamary
Shankar Karuppannan
Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
Discover Sustainability
Hydrogeochemical analysis
Water quality index (WQI)
Principal component
Spatial distribution
Vallanadu Region
title Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
title_full Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
title_fullStr Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
title_full_unstemmed Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
title_short Spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Vallanadu region: insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
title_sort spatial variation and hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in vallanadu region insights from water quality index and statistical analysis
topic Hydrogeochemical analysis
Water quality index (WQI)
Principal component
Spatial distribution
Vallanadu Region
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01381-9
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