A Hydrogeochemical Elucidation of the Groundwater Composition for Drinking and Irrigation Usage in Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

            Hydrogeochemical analysis was carried out to survey the suitability of groundwater for the purpose of drinking, household, agriculture, and industries in Virudhunagar District, Tamilnadu, India. Seventy-two groundwater samples were collected across the district during the southwest monsoon season (SWM) in 2021and analyzed for electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, cationic and anionic activity from Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, CO₃, HCO₃, SO₄, and PO₄. All analytical results were compared with the corresponding reference values ​​from World Health Organization (WHO 2014). The abundance of these ions is in the following order: Na > K > Ca> Mg and Cl> HCO₃> SO₄. Na% and RSC results show that some of thegroundwater samples are suitable for agriculture Purpose. Wilcox sample ratings indicating that the samples show low alkali hazard to high hazard. The results of the analysis were understood with the geology; the ion concentration in the groundwater varies temporallyand spatially. Interpretation of the analytical data shows the dominate facies of Na- Cl, mixed Ca- Mg-Cl, mixed Ca-Na-HCO₃. Weathering, salt leaching, and anthropogenic activities have been identified as dominate factorsin the groundwater chemistry of this region.