Address: Associate Professor
Department of Earth Sciences
School of Physical, Chemical and Applied sciences,
Pondicherry University,
Pondicherry - 605 014, India
Tirupur Taluk is of particular importance in view of groundwater quality due to effluents from kn... more Tirupur Taluk is of particular importance in view of groundwater quality due to effluents from knitting industries, agricultural, sewage and urban runoff, altering the chemistry of groundwater. An investigation was carried out by collecting a total of 90 groundwater samples for two seasons namely Pre Monsoon (PRM) and Post Monsoon (POM) to decipher hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality for determining its suitability for agricultural purposes. The water is neutral to alkaline in nature with pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.6. Higher electrical conductivity (EC) was noted along NE and central downstream parts of the study area. Higher NO3 was noted during (POM) due to the action of leaching and anthropogenic process. The piper plot reveals Na–Cl, Na–HCO3, Ca–Cl, mixed Ca–HCO3 and Na–SO4 types of hydrochemical facies. Higher total hardness in the groundwater is due to the effect of dyeing and bleaching industries. Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) indicates 31% of samples unsuitable for irr...
Mapping of groundwater resources has been increasingly implemented in recent years because of inc... more Mapping of groundwater resources has been increasingly implemented in recent years because of increased demand for water. The importance of the study is, instead of taking only one characteristic to identify potential groundwater zones, integrating the thematic maps prepared from conventional and remote sensing using GIS gives more and accurate results. Based on the analysis of geology, geomorphology, drainage and soil map of the study area has been derived.Geology of the study area belongs to upper cretaceous, Paleocene and recent. The major soils of the study area are Clay loam to clay followed by Sandy loam clay to sandy clay. Seven distinct geomorphological units were identified, from upland to alluvial plain. Drainage classification has been attempted for five order based on the density. Excellent to Poor classification scheme were used to identify ground water potential zone through integrated all the thematic maps. Based on the classification, ranks were assigned for differen...
From the ERI plot it is confirmed that saline water intrusion has occurred in the sand stone aqui... more From the ERI plot it is confirmed that saline water intrusion has occurred in the sand stone aquifer along the coastal tracts of the Pondicherry region. The intrusion noted was not continuous but varying in depth. The saline water fresh water interface was also demarcated with a gradual increase in resistivity values from the coast towards land. Location 1 and 4 shows the saline water intrusion at deeper level (27m). In location 5, shallow portion (6m) of the sand stone aquifer has been found to be influenced by saline water intrusion. The best possible prevention from sea water intrusion is by reducing the groundwater withdrawal which is already in practice in Pondicherry region. If the present scenario exists saline water intrusion observed at a distance of 40m from the coast might further move towards the coast resulting in freshening of aquifers. Hence, the use of ERI for the effective demarcation of saline water intrusion has been validated by the present study.
ABSTRACT The study investigates the Heavy Metal Pollution vulnerability of the groundwater in the... more ABSTRACT The study investigates the Heavy Metal Pollution vulnerability of the groundwater in the coastal aquifers of Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu, India. A total of 80 groundwater samples were collected throughout the entire district. Integrated approach includes pollution evaluation indices, principal component analysis (PCA), and correlation matrix (CM) to evaluate the intensity and source of pollution in groundwater. The average abundance order of heavy metal contents in groundwater samples are: Cr > Cu > Pb > Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cd. These values were calculated for heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), and degree of contamination (C d). Spatial distribution map of HPI, HEI, C d indicates that higher indices are observed in the north eastern part of Industrial area (SIPCOT). The Factor score maps suggest that the activities of industries and landfill leachate are pervasive processes. Correlation matrix of heavy metal elements clearly indicates that the groundwater has assimilated with various contaminants from the processes of chemical industries, landfill leachate, and municipal sewage systems in the study area. This study has provided the evidence of effluents discharged from the tannery and auxiliary industries and landfill leachate are the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the groundwater. The current distribution level of heavy metal in the groundwater is of environmental and health concerns and requires attention.
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2014
ABSTRACT The main aim of a geophysical investigation in a hard rock region is to solve different ... more ABSTRACT The main aim of a geophysical investigation in a hard rock region is to solve different hydrogeological problems like depth of water table, basement rock, thickness of weathered zone/formation, structural and stratigraphic conditions relevant to groundwater conditions, and permeability of aquifers. A total of 54 vertical electrode soundings were carried out by Schlumberger electrode arrangement to signify complete lithology of the study area and interpretation was carried out by using curve matching techniques. From the study, 65 % of area is dominated by ‘A’ type curve indicating increasing resistivity with depth and 17 % by ‘K’ type representing a high-resistivity layer sandwiched between two low-resistivity layers. Four layer cases were also noted in 12 % of the study area indicating gradation between the weathered and fractured layers as a semi-weathered zone. Greater thickness has been identified in the weathered zone at the contact of peninsular gneiss and charnockite regions. The maximum, minimum, mean, and arithmetic mean were plotted and identified higher background resistivity values in charnockite. The overlay of maximum and minimum curves for different layers signifies variation of weathering intensity with depth or the presence of weaker zones. In general, lithology plays a significant control over weathering of rocks and groundwater potential.
... Page 8. 100 S. Chidambaram et al. ... They are well represented in the charnokitic terrain. A... more ... Page 8. 100 S. Chidambaram et al. ... They are well represented in the charnokitic terrain. A good representation of this factor is seen in the gneissic region only near the Bhavani Sagar reservoir. This may be due to the dominance of the agricultural practices. ...
Unexpected mistreatment of groundwater from coastal aquifers may possibly cause salt water intrus... more Unexpected mistreatment of groundwater from coastal aquifers may possibly cause salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers. Coastal areas are mostly overpopulated with productive agricultural lands and expanded irrigated farming actions. Field and modeling studies were started to consider the special effects of possible seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers. Groundwater levels were measured at 61 locations in Nagapattinam and Karaikal coastal region, identified flow direction pointing toward the coast with no major change in groundwater table. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ionic parameters, represented higher concentration of conductivity, total dissolved solids, sodium and chloride along the coastal parts of the study area. A computer package for the simulation of dimensional variable density groundwater flow, SEAWAT, has been used to model the seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers of the study area. The model was stimulated to predict the amou...
Tirupur Taluk is of particular importance in view of groundwater quality due to effluents from kn... more Tirupur Taluk is of particular importance in view of groundwater quality due to effluents from knitting industries, agricultural, sewage and urban runoff, altering the chemistry of groundwater. An investigation was carried out by collecting a total of 90 groundwater samples for two seasons namely Pre Monsoon (PRM) and Post Monsoon (POM) to decipher hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality for determining its suitability for agricultural purposes. The water is neutral to alkaline in nature with pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.6. Higher electrical conductivity (EC) was noted along NE and central downstream parts of the study area. Higher NO3 was noted during (POM) due to the action of leaching and anthropogenic process. The piper plot reveals Na–Cl, Na–HCO3, Ca–Cl, mixed Ca–HCO3 and Na–SO4 types of hydrochemical facies. Higher total hardness in the groundwater is due to the effect of dyeing and bleaching industries. Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) indicates 31% of samples unsuitable for irr...
Mapping of groundwater resources has been increasingly implemented in recent years because of inc... more Mapping of groundwater resources has been increasingly implemented in recent years because of increased demand for water. The importance of the study is, instead of taking only one characteristic to identify potential groundwater zones, integrating the thematic maps prepared from conventional and remote sensing using GIS gives more and accurate results. Based on the analysis of geology, geomorphology, drainage and soil map of the study area has been derived.Geology of the study area belongs to upper cretaceous, Paleocene and recent. The major soils of the study area are Clay loam to clay followed by Sandy loam clay to sandy clay. Seven distinct geomorphological units were identified, from upland to alluvial plain. Drainage classification has been attempted for five order based on the density. Excellent to Poor classification scheme were used to identify ground water potential zone through integrated all the thematic maps. Based on the classification, ranks were assigned for differen...
From the ERI plot it is confirmed that saline water intrusion has occurred in the sand stone aqui... more From the ERI plot it is confirmed that saline water intrusion has occurred in the sand stone aquifer along the coastal tracts of the Pondicherry region. The intrusion noted was not continuous but varying in depth. The saline water fresh water interface was also demarcated with a gradual increase in resistivity values from the coast towards land. Location 1 and 4 shows the saline water intrusion at deeper level (27m). In location 5, shallow portion (6m) of the sand stone aquifer has been found to be influenced by saline water intrusion. The best possible prevention from sea water intrusion is by reducing the groundwater withdrawal which is already in practice in Pondicherry region. If the present scenario exists saline water intrusion observed at a distance of 40m from the coast might further move towards the coast resulting in freshening of aquifers. Hence, the use of ERI for the effective demarcation of saline water intrusion has been validated by the present study.
ABSTRACT The study investigates the Heavy Metal Pollution vulnerability of the groundwater in the... more ABSTRACT The study investigates the Heavy Metal Pollution vulnerability of the groundwater in the coastal aquifers of Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu, India. A total of 80 groundwater samples were collected throughout the entire district. Integrated approach includes pollution evaluation indices, principal component analysis (PCA), and correlation matrix (CM) to evaluate the intensity and source of pollution in groundwater. The average abundance order of heavy metal contents in groundwater samples are: Cr > Cu > Pb > Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cd. These values were calculated for heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), and degree of contamination (C d). Spatial distribution map of HPI, HEI, C d indicates that higher indices are observed in the north eastern part of Industrial area (SIPCOT). The Factor score maps suggest that the activities of industries and landfill leachate are pervasive processes. Correlation matrix of heavy metal elements clearly indicates that the groundwater has assimilated with various contaminants from the processes of chemical industries, landfill leachate, and municipal sewage systems in the study area. This study has provided the evidence of effluents discharged from the tannery and auxiliary industries and landfill leachate are the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the groundwater. The current distribution level of heavy metal in the groundwater is of environmental and health concerns and requires attention.
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2014
ABSTRACT The main aim of a geophysical investigation in a hard rock region is to solve different ... more ABSTRACT The main aim of a geophysical investigation in a hard rock region is to solve different hydrogeological problems like depth of water table, basement rock, thickness of weathered zone/formation, structural and stratigraphic conditions relevant to groundwater conditions, and permeability of aquifers. A total of 54 vertical electrode soundings were carried out by Schlumberger electrode arrangement to signify complete lithology of the study area and interpretation was carried out by using curve matching techniques. From the study, 65 % of area is dominated by ‘A’ type curve indicating increasing resistivity with depth and 17 % by ‘K’ type representing a high-resistivity layer sandwiched between two low-resistivity layers. Four layer cases were also noted in 12 % of the study area indicating gradation between the weathered and fractured layers as a semi-weathered zone. Greater thickness has been identified in the weathered zone at the contact of peninsular gneiss and charnockite regions. The maximum, minimum, mean, and arithmetic mean were plotted and identified higher background resistivity values in charnockite. The overlay of maximum and minimum curves for different layers signifies variation of weathering intensity with depth or the presence of weaker zones. In general, lithology plays a significant control over weathering of rocks and groundwater potential.
... Page 8. 100 S. Chidambaram et al. ... They are well represented in the charnokitic terrain. A... more ... Page 8. 100 S. Chidambaram et al. ... They are well represented in the charnokitic terrain. A good representation of this factor is seen in the gneissic region only near the Bhavani Sagar reservoir. This may be due to the dominance of the agricultural practices. ...
Unexpected mistreatment of groundwater from coastal aquifers may possibly cause salt water intrus... more Unexpected mistreatment of groundwater from coastal aquifers may possibly cause salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers. Coastal areas are mostly overpopulated with productive agricultural lands and expanded irrigated farming actions. Field and modeling studies were started to consider the special effects of possible seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers. Groundwater levels were measured at 61 locations in Nagapattinam and Karaikal coastal region, identified flow direction pointing toward the coast with no major change in groundwater table. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ionic parameters, represented higher concentration of conductivity, total dissolved solids, sodium and chloride along the coastal parts of the study area. A computer package for the simulation of dimensional variable density groundwater flow, SEAWAT, has been used to model the seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers of the study area. The model was stimulated to predict the amou...
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