Hydro chemical assessment of groundwater quality using pollution index, quality indexes, fuzzy-GIS, graphical and multivariate techniques from a mining region of Eastern India
Abstract Groundwater, India’s primary source of irrigation and drinking water, is deteriorating due to contamination and abrupt use, making it unsafe for agricultural and drinking purposes. A study encompassing an area of 29,196 km2, in Eastern India’s mining region found that residents are dispropo...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Water |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00240-y |
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| Summary: | Abstract Groundwater, India’s primary source of irrigation and drinking water, is deteriorating due to contamination and abrupt use, making it unsafe for agricultural and drinking purposes. A study encompassing an area of 29,196 km2, in Eastern India’s mining region found that residents are disproportionately affected by contaminated groundwater due to the reliance on mines, industries, and agriculture. A total of 60 water samples for Pre-Monsoon, Monsoon and Post Monsoonal seasons of 2022 and 2023 were tested. The novelty of the research lies in the integration of techniques used. 14 physical–chemical parameters were tested and assessed using GIS-based fuzzy Groundwater Quality Index (GFGWQI), the Traditional Groundwater Quality Index (TGWQI), and the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI). Furthermore, Groundwater Hazardous Index (GWHI) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HMPI) were also calculated. Suitability of water for irrigation and drinking was assessed using hydro-statistical techniques of Magnesium Hazard (MH), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Wilcox Diagram and Piper Diagram respectively. The region has a dominant anion type of chloride and bicarbonate type. 17.70% of the region falls under “Most Moderate to Worst hazardous Zone” as per GWHI, though NSFWQI indicates that the entire region’s groundwater is unsafe to drink, except for a few pockets. Fuzzy 0.9 exhibits the best correlation coefficient with GFGWQI with 35.42% of the study area falling under “Unsuitable” category for drinking purpose. Hydrostatical analysis depicts that although the regions’ groundwater is suitable for irrigation but it belongs to bicarbonate cum chloride category and has low sodium but high salinity hazards, making it unsuitable for drinking purposes. The “principal component analysis (PCA)” method with overall variance of 68.14% denotes the role of anthropogenic factors towards groundwater contamination. The multifaceted approach, aimed towards accurate problem analysis, provides insights into groundwater quality in the Subarnarekha basin mining belt, enabling policymakers in implementing measures to protect these vital resources for portable use. |
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| ISSN: | 2730-647X |