Geospatial Modelling Of Groundwater Chemistry,
Tiruchirappalli Dist, Tamilnadu
1M. Mullaivasanthan,
2Dr. S. Thangamani,
3Dr. P. Karthikeyan
1Final Year Student,Department of Agriculture Engineering, ,Bannari Amman Institute of Technology,
(Autonomous),Sathyamangalam, Erode-638401, Tamil Nadu,India
2Assistant. Professor, (Sr.Grade) Department of Agriculture Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of
Technology, (Autonomous), Sathyamangalam, Erode-638401, Tamil Nadu,India
3Assistant. Professor. (Sr.Grade) Department of Agriculture Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of
Technology, (Autonomous),Sathyamangalam, Erode-638401, Tamil Nadu,India
2Corresponding author [email protected],
Abstract:
The present study was carried out to evaluate and Hydro-Chemical characteristics of
Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu. GIS and RS have been applied to visualize the spatial distribution
of groundwater quality in the study area. Totally twenty-seven groundwater samples were
collected and analyzed for various hydro-chemical parameters in the year 2008. Groundwater
chemistry data set aggregated from the monitoring wells maintained by the State Ground and
Surface Water Resource, Tamil Nadu State used for this study. In this analysis the spatial
variations of water quality (Hydro-Chemical) parameters such as TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, So4,
EC, pH, HAR, SAR have been addressed. In this work, the geospatial analysis is carried out
by using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and First Degree Global Polynomial Trend. In
addition, several thematic maps of AOI, have been created as part of the study.
Introduction
There is one substance in the earth all life on earth depends on, i.e. water, almost 73%
of our planet is covered by water. Only 2.5% of which is fresh water out of this 1% of fresh
water is too easily accessible. Further, 1.7% occurs below the ground, while 1.7% is tied
down to glacier and ice sheets. Water resources are divisible into two categories, the surfaces
water resources and the groundwater (GW) resources. Surface water resources are water
resources that are visible to the eye. They are mainly the result of overland runoff of
International Journal of Pure and Applied MathematicsVolume 119 No. 18 2018, 2491-2506ISSN: 1314-3395 (on-line version)url: http://www.acadpubl.eu/hub/Special Issue http://www.acadpubl.eu/hub/
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rainwater, but surface water resources can also originate from the GW. GW is the most
preferred sources of water in various user sectors in India. GW is the water located beneath
the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of lithologic formations. A unit of
rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of
water. The depth at which soil Pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock become completely
saturated with water is called the water table. The percolation of water is possible because
rocks have some pore spaces, cracks or fissures. At very great depths, tremendous pressure of
the overlying rocks effectively reduces the amount of the pore spaces. This gives a lower
limit below which the GW cannot occur. That is, the occurrence of subsurface water is
limited within a shallow zone of the earth’s crust. GW is recharged from, and eventually
flows into, the surface naturally; natural discharge often occurs at springs and seeps, and can
form oases or wetlands. GW is also often withdrawn for agricultural, municipal and industrial
use by constructing and operating extraction wells. The study of the distribution and
movement of GW also called groundwater hydrology. And it is the most preferred sources of
water to meet the requirement of various user sector in India. The GW is precious natural
resources in the Indian context by the fact that to a greater extent of 85% of India’s rural
domestic water requirements, urban water requirement and more than 50 percent of its
irrigation requirements are met out of GW. Today, Tamilnadu is mainly depending on its GW
for agriculture, food production and domestic uses. In a report published by CGWB(2016) [1]
it is reported that 79% of wells have recorded depth to water level within 10 m BGL (Below
Ground Level) during pre-monsoon period (May 2014), whereas during post-monsoon period
(January 2015) about 83% of wells recorded water levels less than 10 m BGL (Below Ground
Level).
Geographic Information System (GIS):
GIS is a decision support (computer based) system for collecting storing, presenting
and analysis geographical spatial data. GIS is much more advanced than computer aided
design (CAD) or any other spatial data system. The basic output of GIS or spatial analysis
system is a map layer. The need to analyse maps to compare and contrast patterns of earth
related phenomena, is confirmed by the long standing tradition of doing so with traditional
maps. GIS uses any data that includes location or geospatial tag such as geographic co-
ordinates, PIN codes etc. It can include information about ownership of land parcels, location
of streams, different kinds of vegetation, and different kinds of soil. It also includes
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geographically referenced man made assets such as factories, farms and schools or storm
drains, roads and electric power lines.
Global Positioning System (GPS):
The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of satellites based
radio-positioning and time transfer system designed, financed, deployed, and operated by the
U.S. Department of Defense. It carries 31 satellites in an orbital height of 20180 km, space
based navigation system offering position (accuracy of 5 by 5 m) with reference to
geographic co-ordinates as well as elevation of the corresponding spot.
The capability of determining velocity and time, to an accuracy commensurate
with position.
The signals are available to user anywhere on the globe: in the air, on the ground,
or at sea.
It is a positioning system with no user charges, which simply requires the use of
relatively low cost hardware. It is an all-weather system, available 24 hours a day.
The position information is in three dimensions, that is, vertical as well as
horizontal information is provided.
Literature Review
Senanayake, et.al, (20134) [2] carried out a GIS based study delineating GW recharge
potential sites in Ambalantota, Sri Lanka using GIS technology. Sri Lanka is rapidly
developing with scores of ongoing development projects. Here the management of available
GW resources is critical, to fulfil potable water needs in the study area. Outcome of this study
showed high to moderate groundwater recharge potential in the AOI.
Ghayoumian et.al, (2007) [3] applied the geospatial technologies in analyzing spatio-
temporal changes in water related themes to be able to predict the future water trends.
GW is a vital natural resource for the well-being of urban and rural environments for the
reliable and economic supply of potable water. Hence, it plays a fundamental role in human
well-being, as well as that of some aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem.
Magesh et.al, (2011) [4] opined that presently GW contributes around 34% of the
total annual water supply of Tamil Nadu, and hence is an important fresh water resource.
Therefore, an assessment of this resource is extremely significant for the sustainable
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management of groundwater system and water security of people who depend on this
resource. They used GIS tools and RS data for the assessment and management of water
resources.
Subramani (2012) [5] implemented a GW quality study using GIS and RS in the
Conoor taluk, Nilgiri Dist., Tamil Nadu. They inferred that GW quality has steeply
deteriorated ted due to rising urbanization and consequent pollution in that area. They
reviewed the spatial variations of GW parameters such as pH, TDS, Total Hardness, sulphate,
chloride, calcium, Turbidity, and Temperature.
Mohammad Said (2008) [6] described a procedure using GIS, to improve the
groundwater recharge for the entire West Bank and for each aquifer using the Soil Moisture
Deficit (SMD) approach. To examine scenarios such as climate change and its impact, it is
required to predict the future behaviour for effective GW modelling and management using
Vasanthavigar, et.al, (2010) [7] studied the water quality of Thirumanimuttar river
basin in order to assess the water quality vis-a-vis human consumption using WQI method for
the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. They identified that the leaching of ions, over-
exploitation of groundwater, direct discharge of effluents, and agro-chemicals are responsible
for the poor quality of water in the pre-monsoon.
Hydro chemical analysis can give the quality of the isolated patches only, but geo-
statistics can give the concentration level of points uncovered by sample points as well.
Heavy GW contamination was reported from south Chennai region after the 2004 Tsunami
(Palanivelu et.al, 2006) [8].
Deepesh Machiwal, et.al, (2011) & Balamurugan.E, jagadeesan.A, (2018) used Geo-
statistics and GIS to evaluate and model short-term spatial and temporal variability of GW
level. The study demonstrated applicability of geo-statistics and GIS to understand spatial
and temporal behavior of GW level in a semi-arid hard-rock aquifer of western India.
Objectives:
GIS has important application in the field of hydrogeology and especially in GW
quality mapping modeling.
Generate thematic maps on study area along with modeling groundwater chemistry in
Tiruchirappalli district.
Familiarize various tools of GIS.
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METHODOLOGY
Study Area:
Tiruchirappalli District (area =4,404 km2), lies within Tamil Nadu. It is bounded in the north
by Salem district, in the northwest by Namakkal district, in the northeast by Perambalur district and
Ariyalur district, in the east by Thanjavur District, in the southeast by Pudukkottai district, in the
south by Madurai district and Sivagangai district, in the southwest by Dindigul district and, in the
west by Karur district. The Kaveri River flows through the length of the district and is the principal
sources of irrigation and drinking water.
Location:
Tiruchirappalli district (N.Lat. 10° 10' and 11° 20’; E. Lon. 78° 10' and 79° 0) is located at the
Central part of Tamil Nadu and is roughly at the centroid of Tamil Nadu. The general land surface
slope is easterly. It has a number of detached Hills, among which 24 Pachamalai Hill (Elv. = 1015 m)
is an important one at Sengattupatti.
Data collection:
Data is purchased from the department of state ground and surface water resources data
center, Tharamani, Chennai.
Downloaded shape file from DIVAGIS.
Downloaded ASTER GDEM from www.usgs.com.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Presented here in what follows are the results of the study on GW chemistry of the
Tiruchirappalli District, Tamilnadu, India. To understand the aerial variation of Groundwater
chemistry of the area, various physical and hydro-chemical parameters of the GW have been
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analysed by Geostatistical tools such as IDW and Polynomial Trend models. In addition
several map layers of the land-surface attributes have also been created.
Groundwater Quality Parameter:
i. pH
The pH of water is very important for living things. The pH of natural water is slightly acidic
(5.0-7.5). All the groundwater samples collected from the study area are having pH values in the
range 7.80 to 8.54 in IDW. The Dug well W2, W3, W10, W17, W19 have high pH values and the
Dug well W4, W5, W6, W8, W12, W22 are having low pH values. And the First degree Global
Polynomial Trend shows pH values between 8.08 to 8.24. The Dug well W2, W5, W6, W16, W18,
W19 are having pH high values and the Dug wells W9, W12, W14, W15 are having values that are
low.
ii. EC
Electrical conductivity is a measure of water capacity to convey electric current. The normal
values of EC fall between >3000 mhos/cm. All the groundwater samples collected from the study area
are having EC values in the range 445 to 6539 in IDW model. The Dug well W14 are have high EC
values and the Dug well W1, W2, W3, W7, W9, W10, W16, W17, W18 are have low EC values. And
the First degree Global Polynomial Trend shows EC values between 931 to 2922. The Dug well W12,
W14, W15, W21, W22, W23 are have high EC values and the Dug well W1, W2, W3, W5, W6 are
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having EC values that are low. The analysis of the parameter showed a gradual increase towards
North –Western side and a decrease towards North Eastern side.
iii.HAR
Hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other
metals. The maximum allowable limit of HAR in groundwater is >600 mg/l. All the groundwater
samples collected from the study area are having HAR values in the range 135 to 1514 in IDW model.
The Dug wells W14, W23 are have high HAR values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W9, W10, W15,
W16, W17, W18, W19 are have low HAR values. And the First degree Global Polynomial Trend
shows HAR values between 236 to 716. The Dug wells W12, W14, W15, W21, W22, W23 are have
high HAR values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W5, W6 are having HAR values that are low. The
analysis of the parameter showed a gradual increase towards North –Western side and a decrease
towards North Eastern side. All the values show higher values in the southern part of the study area.
The study indicated that the ground water is potable based on the desirable limit.
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iii. CALCIUM
Groundwater and underground aquifers leach even higher concentration of the calcium ions
from Rocks and soil. Calcium carbonate is relatively insoluble in water, but dissolves readily in water
containing significant levels of dissolved carbon dioxide. The maximum allowable limit of calcium
ion concentration in groundwater is 200 mg/l. The calcium ions in the analysed samples varied from
18 to 179 in IDW model. The Dug wells W14, W22 are have high Ca values and the Dug wells W1,
W2, W9, W10, W12, W13, W16, W17, W18, W19 are have low Ca values. And the First degree
Global Polynomial Trend shows Ca values between 34 to 68. The Dug wells W12, W14, W15, W21,
W22, W23 are have high Ca values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W5, W6 are having Ca values
that are low.
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iv. MAGNESIUM
These deposits can make hard water unsuitable for many uses, and so a variety of means have
been developed to “soften” hard water; i.e., remove the calcium and magnesium ions. Concentration
of calcium and magnesium ions is considered to be the measure if water hardness. Magnesium
concentration limit should be 150mg/l. The magnesium ions in the analysed samples varied from 21
to 259 in IDW model. The Dug wells W14, W23 are have high Mg values and the Dug wells W1,
W2, W7, W9, W10, W15, W16, W17, W18, are having Mg values that are low. And the First degree
Global Polynomial Trend shows Mg values between 35 to 135. The Dug wells W14, W15, W20,
W21, W22, W23 are have high Mg values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W5, W6 are having Mg
values that are low.
v. CHLORIDE
The chloride concentrations were within the limit of 250 to 1000mg/l. The chloride ions in the
analysed samples varied from 19 to 1801 in IDW model. The Dug well W14 are have high Cl values
and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W7, W9, W10, W16, W17, W18, W19 are having Cl values are low.
And the First degree Global Polynomial Trend shows Cl values between 145 to 733. The Dug wells
W12, W14, W15, W21, W22, W23 are have high Cl values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W5, W6
are having Cl values that are low.
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vi. SODIUM
Sodium concentration plays an important role in evaluating the groundwater quality for
irrigation because sodium causes an increase in the hardness of soil as well as a reduction in its
permeability. The concentration of Na+ should be >200 mg/l. The sodium ions in the analysed
samples varied from 18 to 754 in IDW model. The Dug wells W13 and W14 are have high Na values
and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W7, W9, W16, W17, and W18 are having Na values that are low.
And the First degree Global Polynomial Trend shows Na values between 70 to 346. The Dug wells
W9, W12, W14, and W15 are have high Na values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W5, W6 are
having Na values that are low.
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vii. TDS
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of the groundwater limit should be >1000 mg\l. All the
groundwater samples collected from the study area are having TDS values ranging between from 235
to 3779 in IDW model. The Dug well W14 are have high TDS values and the Dug wells W1, W2,
W3, W7, W9, W10, W16, W17, W18, are having TDS values that are low. And the First degree
Global Polynomial Trend shows TDS values between 486 to 1649. The Dug wells W12, W14, W15,
and W21 are have high TDS values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W5, W6 are having TDS values
that are low.
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viii. SULPHATE
The concentration of Sulphate is likely to react with human organs if the value exceeds the
maximum allowable limit of 400 mg/l and will cause a laxative effect on human system with the
excess magnesium in groundwater. The upper limit for Sulphate concentration for drinking water is
150 mg/l. The Sulphate ions in the analysed samples varied from 6 to 405 in IDW model. The Dug
well W14 are have high So4 values and the Dug wells W1, W2, W3, W9, W10, W17, W18, W19,
W20, and W21 are having So4 values that are low. And the First degree Global Polynomial Trend
shows the ranging of So4 values between 32 to 173. The Dug wells W9, W12, W14, and W15 are
have high So4 values and the Dug wells W5, W6, W16, W18, W19 are having So4 values that are
low.
ix. SAR
All the groundwater samples collected from the study area are having SAR values ranging
between from 0 to 13 in IDW. The Dug well W13 are have high SAR values and the Dug wells W1,
W2, W3, W7, W9, W17, W18, and W22 are having SAR values are low. And the First degree Global
Polynomial Trend shows the ranging of SAR values between 2 to 5.96. The Dug wells W9, W12,
W14, and W15 are have high SAR values and the Dug wells W5 and W6 are having SAR values are
having SAR values that are low.
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CONCLUSIONS
The Geospatial modeling of status of Groundwater chemistry data of Tiruchirappalli District,
Tamilnadu, India in the GIS platform using specifically ArcGIS 10.2 is carried out using data
from 27 monitoring Dug wells. The study leads to the following conclusions.
a. The analysis demonstrated the capability of ArcGIS tools in visual representation of the
spatial trends of different hydro geochemical parameters.
b. IDW and first degree trend interpolation techniques have been used to create thematic maps
of the data.
c. The quality assessment shows that the groundwater of the area is good and can be used for
drinking and irrigation purpose.
References
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