IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Anshuman K.S.; Subodh K.S.

Volume : IX, Issue : II, February - 2020

Hydrochemistry and Groundwater Quality in Meral –Nagaruntari–Bhawanathpur area, Garhwa District, Jharkhand

Anshuman K. S. , Subodh K. S.

Abstract :

The present paper intends to assess the groundwater quality of Meral â€“Nagaruntari–Bhawanathpur area in Garhwa district of Jharkhand where high–er fluoride concentration has been reported. The area is underlain by metamorphic rocks (Granite and Granitoid gneisses) of Precamian age in association with sedimentary rocks (limestone, sandstone and shale) in which fluoride occurs as accessory minerals. Altogether 25 representative water samples from dug wells and bore wells were collected in pre– and post– monsoon periods and were analysed for major cations and anions in addition to other parameters. On and average, the concentration of all the major cations and anions in the groundwater of the area increases in the pre–monsoon period as com–pared to that in post–monsoon except K+ and SO42–. Plotting of data on Piper Trilinear diagram indicates that alkaline earth (Ca2++Mg2+) exceeds alka–lies (Na++K+) in both pre– and post–monsoon periods. Further, carbonate hardness (secondary salinity) exceeds 50% in the majority samples during post–monsoon. According to USSL classification the quality of water samples belongs to C2S1 and C3S1 in both pre– and post– monsoon periods indicating low sodium hazard but medium to high salinity hazard. Plot of analytical data on Wilcox’s (1995) diagram using Electrical Conductivity versus Sodium percentage shows that the water samples are of excellent to good and good to permissible quality which are suitable for irrigation purpose. Fluoride concentration is above the permissible limit in two places in Bhawanathpur during pre–monsoon whereas during post–monsoon concentration is found beyond the permissible limit in Meral, Na–garuntari, Bhawanathpur and Garhwa areas.