Evolution of Hydrochemical Parameters and Quality Assessment of Groundwater in Tirupur Region, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Groundwater is the most widely distributed resource of the Earth and groundwater quality evolves rapidly as it passes through the subsurface pathways within the unsaturated zone. Increasing urbanization and anthropogenic activities have added to the problem of deficient amount of good quality groundwater. The study area is an industrial hub for textile sector. Textile production, particularly dyeing and bleaching, is essentially water intensive and so it generates large quantities of effluents and the practice of discharging untreated industrial waste into the river courses. To assess the evolution of hydrochemistry and quality, sixty two groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for the physicochemical factors such as pH, EC, TDS, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, CO32-, Cl-, NO3- , SO42- and F‌- during the pre-monsoon period of (June-July) 2006, 2008 and 2011. By using Piper trilinear diagram, hydro chemical facies were identified. Gibb's diagram suggests that the chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals and evaporation influence the groundwater quality. The study area was evaluated for the parameters: Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Residual Sodium Carbonate, Salinity and Permeability Index. Interpretation of these hydro chemical parameters indicates that the groundwater in most of the locations in the study area is not suitable for drinking purpose and for irrigation. However, permeability index values indicate that most all the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purpose.