Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

STATISTICAL APPROACH OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN LOWER PART OF NOYYAL SUB-BASIN, CAUVERY RIVER, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

T. Pradeep and S. Anandakumar

Abstract

The present study deals with the groundwater pollution in the Lower Noyyal River basin. The study area covers an area of 1493.98 square kilometer and The Noyyal River runs through three districts of Tamil Nadu. The samples were collected from 111 open and PWD wells in pre monsoon season 2015. The physiochemical parameters namely pH, EC, TDS, TH, Turbidity, Total Alkalinity, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, F, PO4, SO4, K, NO3, NO4 and Sulphates are analyzed. In this study, it has been found that 33% of samples were not suitable for drinking and agricultural purposes. In 34 samples, the concentration of Sodium were exceeded the permissible limit as per Indian drinking water standards. The box plot and Correlation matrix shows that EC and TDS are most predominant parameters which cause a significant pollution in study area. The maximum concentration of EC and TDS lies in the range of 6590 μS/cm and 4613 mg/L respectively. The NO3 and PO4 concentration also exceeds in most of the places. These higher concentrations are due to improper disposal of wastewater from Textile and Tannery Industries which are located on the course of Lower Noyyal River. In addition to these activities, the improper Irrigation practices that are followed in the study area and usage of chemical fertilizers in agricultural lands and their seepage in to the ground are also the reason for groundwater is not potable in many of the palaces in study area.