the international journal of analytical and experimental modal...

SPATIAL EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY FOR IRRIGATION IN

PERAMBALUR DISTRICT, TAMILNADU

M.Vijayalakshmi1 and R.Maniyosai2

1. Research Scholar, Department of Geography Govt College, Kumbakkonam.

2. Assistant Professor, PG and Research, Department of Geography, Govt Arts College, Kumbakonam

ABSTRACT

Groundwater, which is in aquifers below the surface of the Earth, is one of the

Nation’s most important natural resources. It provides drinking water, domestic use,

irrigation, Industrial factor. Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in both and

rural India. Water utilization projections for 2000 put the groundwater usage at about 50%..

Its availability depends on the rainfall and recharge conditions. The demand for water has

increased over the years and this has led to Water scarcity in many parts of the world.

Increase in population urbanization, industrialization and agricultural development has

related in high impact on quality and quantity of water resource. The continuous usage of this

precious resource has lead to the depletion of its quality and quantity. In this context a study

was initiated to spatial Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for irrigation. The area selected

for the present study perambalur district of Tamilnadu.The present study has been undertaken

to analyse the geochemical parameters of the Water for irrigation for the period 1995,2005

and 2015 in perambalur district of Tamilnadu using GIS Techniques and find out the

temporal changes in the Groundwater quality and village level changes are identified using

GIS analysis. It has been identified that good quality of groundwater decreased every year.

The zonation of water Quality classified the study area into good quality area in 356.80 sq

km, medium quality area in 1353.18sqkm and poor quality area about43.38 sq km. In 1995

the study area under good water quality was 861.25sqkm.In 2005 there was decreased 403.24

sq km and 2015 increased to507.89 sq km.

Key Words: Groundwater quality EC, SAR, RSC, Na%, overlay

The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis

Volume XII, Issue III, March/2020

ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1776

1.INTRODUCTION

Water is vital renewable natural resources. Three fourth’s of the earths of the earth’s

surface is covered with water. Groundwater is an important component in many

proceses.Groundwater chemistry areas of parameters determines the quality of groundwater

of an area in entire world. But some chemical parameters affect the suitability of ground

water for irrigation. Poor groundwater quality for irrigation purpose is a matter of worry in

recent years. Ayers and Westcor 1983 investigated the groundwater quality depends on the

nature of recharging water,precipitation,surface water and hydro geochemical processes in

aquifers and reported that the quality of water varies from place to place. In 1987, Ragunath

had suggested that the selection of crops should be based on quality of water, available salt

content of the irrigation water and the physicochemical characteristics of soil. He had

postulated that the recommendations for use of water must take into account the soil types,

crops grown drainage and management practices. Jha et al., (2000) have reported the

degradation of water quality in Bihar. Study of industrial wastewater, Jana and khondoker

Emamul Haque 2002 varies water quality analyses on chemical constitutes were done.

sodium adsorption Ratio (SAR),Residual sodium carbonate (RSC),Sodium Soluble

Percent(SSP),Permeability Index(PI) and United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL)water

classification were carried out to understand the suitability of groundwater for agriculture

purposes.Anbalazhagan et al 2004 have used the GIS to represent and understand the spatial

variation of varies geochemical elements in panvel basin Maharashtra. Laluraj et al(2005)

have studied ground water chemistry of shallow aquifers in the coastal zones of Cochin and

concluded that groundwater present in the shallow aquifers of some of the stations were poor

in quality and beyond potable limit as per the standard set by WHO and ISI. T.Subramani et

al 2005 indicating groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and agriculture

use.variation of groundwater quality and chemical parameters greatly influenced by

geological formation and anthropogenic activities. Nishanthing et al 2010 water quality

deterioration associated with the ever increasing demand on irrigation water supply leads to

the irrigation of farmlands with poor quality water reducing croplands productivity. water

quality for agricultural purposes is determined on the basis of the effect of water on the

quality and yield of the crops.x.Rosario Arunkumar et al 2011 investigated the geochemical

assessment of Groundwater quality in cuddalore has reported that the variation of

groundwaterquality in an area is a function of physical and chemical parameters that are

greatly influence by geological formations and anthropogenic activities.Jebastina et al.2017



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1777

investigated on GIS based Assessment of groundwater quality in Coimbatore. In this study

they were point out the quality of groundwater by Hydro chemical parameters quality of

groundwater assessed for its suitability for different purpose.

2. AIM AND OBJECTIVE

To analyze the Groundwater quality parameters for irrigation in perambalur district

To find out the spatio temporal changes in irrigation Groundwater quality between the

years 1995, 2005 and 2015 and to find out the area best suited water quality for

irrigation using overlay analysis.

3.STUDY AREA

Perambalur district is located in the central part of Tamilnadu.The district lies between

11° 00’ to 11°31’ north latitude and 78°36’to 79° 30’East longitude. The area extend of the

study area is 1752sq.km .The district has 4taluks and 4 blocks. It is in inland district without

coastal line. The district has vellar river in the north and it has well marked natural division

.The study area comes under the sub basin vellar, kallar, sewtanadi, koneri, marudaiyaru and

chinnar river. The average annual rainfall of the district is about 950 mm.The soils are

moderately alkaline to strongly alkaline in organic carbon and the fertility of the soil is very

low in some places of the district.(fig 1)

4.METHODOLOGY

The base map is created for the present study area using SOI Toposheets.The groundwater

quality data was collected from Groundwater department Tharamani Chennai for the year

1995, 2005 and 2015 for 24 wells. The evaluation of Groundwater quality is based on its

chemical parameters. The sample locations were plotted in GIS for entire study area. Hydro

chemical data used in this analysis including Electrical conductivity(EC),sodium adsorption

Ratio (SAR),Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and Sodium concentration values (Na%) are

plotted in each location individually. The spatial variations of the geochemical parameters

has been prepared as Raster GIS image for different periods and then the variation of

parameters of water quality for the years 1995,2005 and 2015 has prepared. The variation of

water quality integrated and explained using GIS Overlay analysis. The zonation mapping



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1778

has been find out the suitable quality for irrigation. The changes have been observed between

1995, 2005 and 2015.spatial data and mathematical calculations were done in MS Excel.

Figure 2 Well location of study area

5.EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF WATER FOR IRRIGATION.

5.1 Electrical conductivity (EC)

Electrical conductivity (EC) in natural water is the normalized measure of the water’s

ability to conduct electric current. The property of water to conduct electric current depends

upon the concentrations and movement of ions present in the solution or in the water. EC

measured by the conductivity meter in micro mhos. This is mostly influenced by dissolved

salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Electrical conductivity for groundwater

is the ability of 1cm³ water to conduct an electric current 25°C and is measured in micro

Siemens per centimetre, so it depends on the total amount of soluble salts (TDS) as charged

particles. It is an important indicater for water quality assessment. Since the composition of

mineral salts affects the electrical conductivity of groundwater.watter of low salinity is

generally composed of higher proportions of calcium magnesium and bicarbonate ions.water



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1779

concentration of high Concentration sodium bicarbonate and carbonate ions have high PH.In

the EC values the spatial distribution for the years 1995,2005 and 2015 are shown in Fig 2

a,b and c.In the year 1995 the EC value ranges from 882mmhos/cm kolkakkanatham in

kunnam taluk and 2232mmhos/cm Esanai in perambalur taluk. The maximum value

recorded at all taluk in endire district.Some highest values of 4920mmhos/cm and

4280mmhos/cm are observed at Tenur in kunam taluk and peraiyur in veppanthattai

taluk.above 2250 mmhos EC value indicates Doubtful quality of water for irrigation. The EC

value lying between 750mmhos/cm to 2250 mmhos/cm is considered moderate and above

2250 mmhos/cm is poor quality of water for irrigation.In the year 1995 the EC value

variation between 930mmhos at kolkanatham to 6380mmhos/cm at kilmathur.In the year

2015 the EC values ranged between 930mmho/cm velur in perambalur taluk and

2210mmhos/cm kilumattur in kunnam taluk. Above 4000mmhos/cm of EC value is recorded

at kottarai and kilumattur in kunnam taluk (figure 3 a,b and c).



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1780



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1781

5.2 Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)

Sodium concentration is important classifying the water for irrigation purpose because Na

concentration can reduce the soil permeability and soil structure. Water with very low sodium

concentration can be used for irrigation purposes. The higher the Sodium adsorption ratio, the

less suitable the water is for irrigation. Irrigation using water with high sodium adsorption

ratio may require soil amendments to prevent long term damage (Ca and Mg) to the soil. The

process leading to the cation exchange in soil can be studied using Sodium Adsorption Ratio.

Where all the ionic concentration is expressed in milli equivalents per litter)

Na

SAR=--------------

√(Ca+Mg)/2

The year 1995 SAR values are less than 10 in all the 22 water samples, During the year

2005 and 2015 SAR values are 8 and 18 water samples. The SAR value less than 10 epm is

considered as excellent and the values between 10 epm to 18 epm are considered to good for

irrigation purpose.18epm to 26 epm permissible and more than 26 epm considered to

unsuitable for irrigation. Based on the above equation the SARvalue is worked out for 1995,

2005 and 2015 and prepared the spatial variation of individual year. (Figure 4 a, b and c)



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1782



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1783

5.3 Residual Sodium Concentration

The residual sodium carbonate (RSC) Index of irrigation water or soil water is used to

indicate the alkalinity hazard for soil. The RSC index is used to find the suitability of the

Water for irrigation in soil clay soils which have a high cation exchange capacity. High

concentration of sodium is bad because it increases the salinity. Eaton(1950) has suggests

that water having carbonate and bicarbonate ions in excess of calcium and magnesium will

lead to much greater alkaline formation than is indicated by its SAR and thereby decreasing

the soil permeability. The plant roots are unable to spread deeper in to the soil due to lack of

moisture.(Nordstrom 1982) water having more than 2.5 epm of RSC is not suitable for

irrigation purposes .The water with RSC value up to 2.0 epm is permissible for irrigation

purposes and whereas this value below 1.25 epm I considered as the excellent quality. The

spatial variation of the individual year has been prepared show in fig 5(a,b and c) .During

1995 Observed that value ranges between 0to 9.64.Below 1.25 epm of RSC is observed in

maximum of the study area.1.25 to 2.0 epm of RSC are observed at peraiyur, kilamattur in

kunnam taluk,ladapuram in perambalur taluk and peraiyur in veppanthattai taluk.The RSC

maximum value recorded in viramanallur in kunnam taluk (9.64epm).In the year 2005 the

RSC value ranges between 2.52 epm to 20.38 epm which is doubtful and unsuitable for

irrigation.During 2015 some region lies in the excellent with RSC value below 1.25.



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1784



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1785

5.4 Percentage of sodium (Na %)

The concentration of sodium ion is high in irrigation water Na tends to be absorbed by clay

particles, displacing magnesium and calcium ions. This exchange process of sodium in water

for Ca and Mg in soil reduce the permeability and eventually results in soil with poor internal

drainage. So sodium concentration in ground water has an important role in the classification

quality. Maximum of sixty percentage sodium is allowed for agricultural purposes. The

sodium percentage of spatial distribution has been mapped fig 6 ( a ,b and c) observed that

the sodium percentage of water in the year 1995 ranges from 23% to144%and 4 villages have

recorded above 40% to 60% of sodium. Which is 25% of the study area and comes under

good category for irrigation purpose and the remaining areas come under poor category of

water. During the year 2005 the sodium percentage ranges from 46% %to 124%here 4

locations have exhibited the sodium percentage less than 60% and remaining 20 places have

the sodium percentage between 60% to80percent which is poor quality. During the year 2015

the sodium percentage ranges from18.07% to 149.24%. Here maximum 17 locations of the

study area poor quality of sodium percentage and 3 places of the study area recorded below

40% of sodium and only one place recorded 40% to 60% of sodium. Remaining 3 location of

the study area under medium water quality of water sodium.



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1786



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1787

6.RESULT DISCUSSIONS

6.1 Electrical conductivity

The values of 1995 data shows that in chittali,velur,kilmattur and kolkaanatham

villages perform medium level of water quality with EC value ranging between

882mmhos/cm to1600mmhos/cm are observed in perambalur and kunnan taluks

respectively. varies villages in pasumbalur,eraiyoor,mettupalayam,peraiur ,udumpiyan of

veppanthattai taluk viramanallur,nakkasalem,tennur kilumattur in kunnam taluk and

Tiruppayyarnatam,Elumbalur,ayilur,esanai in perambalur taluk have very poor quality of

water irrigation with EC value ranging between 2300mmhos/cm to4280 mmhos /cm.In

1995,2005 and 2015 the quality of EC value is neither good nor excellent in the study area. In

2005 the EC value is widely varied from the year 1995.velur, poolambadi, udumbiyan,

kolkanatham villages have medium quality water for irrigation with EC value ranges between

1590mmhos to 2150mmhos and the Endire villages have poor quality of water for irrigation.

very poor EC values ranging between 2610mmhos/cm to7800mmhos/cm. The chittali, velur,

kilumatur, sirumathur and Esanai villages which shown medium quality of EC value in the

year 1995 is now changed to poor quality during 2005.The pasumbalur, poolambadi and

udumbiyan villages of veppanthattai taluk has changed improve from poor quality to medium

quality water. In 2015 data shows that improvement in the quality of water regarding EC

value when compared to other years of 1995 and, 2005. This may because the land

reclamation processes implemented in the district. The velur village of perambalur taluk and,

kilamathur, sirumathur village of kunnam taluk have been improved from poor quality to

medium quality of water. The pasumabalur still remains with very poor quality of water for

irrigation with an EC value of 2040mmhos/cm

6.2 Sodium Adsorption Ratio.

In the year 1995 SAR values ranges between 0.75 epm to26.72epmand her the SAR value

shows a steady trend with the values lying below 10 epm in all the places of study area except

in viramanallur and killmattur so excellent quality of water for irrigation. Highest value is

recorded at viramanallur 26.72 epm so unsuitable for irrigation.During the year 2005 the

SAR values ranges between2.52epm to 16.69epm.Maximum of the locations in the study

area have SAR lying between excellent and good quality of water irrigation .In the year 2015

the SAR value ranges between 0.65 epm to 23.14epm.Many of the locations in the study area

have SAR value lying below 10epm .The peraiyur village of veppanthattai taluk and



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1788

kottarai in kunnam taluk changed from good quality to poor quality. The sodium adsorption

ratio of the perambalur district most of the places exhibit excellent and good quality for

irrigation. The value of SAR remains maximum below 0 to 10 during the 30 years of study.

6.3 Residual Sodium Concentration

During 1995 the RSC value ranges between 0.00to 9.64 and her RSC value almost in zero

value which shows the endire perambalur district. All the places exhibits good quality of

water where the RSC value is below 1.25.Peraiyur in veppanthattai taluk and ladapuram in

perambalur taluk shows poor quality with RSC value 1.32 and 1.66.Very poor in

verammanallur village in perambalur taluk .In the year 2005 the study area maximum

locations have RSC value increased in above 2.5 except in mettupalayam in veppanthattai

taluk. During 2015 the RSC value almost increased and which shows the entire district lies in

the unsuitable for irrigation.

6.4 Sodium percentage

The Na % of the study area shows that in 1995 the location of eraiyoor in veppanthattai and

velur,Ayilur in perambalur taluk have good quality of sodium percentage which recorded as

below 20% to 40%.The pasumbalur ,mettupalayam,udumbiyan in veppanthattai

taluk,thiruppayyarnatham in perambalur taluk and tenur in kunnam taluk villages shows

medium quality of water with of 40% to 60% during the year 1995.During the year 2005 the

Na% ranges between 46.96% to124.7% and her during the 1995 the sodium percentage has

maximum fluctuations when compared to 2005.The poolambadi in veppanthattai taluk

improved poor to medium quality with a Na% value of 75.55% which is below57.74%.The

sodium percentage is changed from good quality to poor quality in velur,Ayilur in

perambalur taluk .The Na % all other locations shows a increased trend in water quality

during this period and this period 13 places unsuitable for irrigation.During the year 2015

Na% has been improved to some villages. The village of vellur in perambalur taluk

improved from poor quality to excellent quality of irrigation and the village of udumbiyan in

perambalur taluk improved to poor to good quality f irrigation.

All the parameters has been integrated and differentiated the GIS spatial distribution of

water quality for irrigation in 1995,2005 and 2015 (fig 7a,b and c) .The area wise

classification of irrigation water quality for 1995 ,2005and2015 has been worked out and

tabulated in table 1



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1789



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1790

Table 1 Water quality change in area (sq.km)

water quality

catogaries

Area in sqkm

1995

Area in

sqkm2005

Area in sqkm

2015

Good 861.25 403.24 507.89

Medium 722.03 1203.95 1134.71

Poor 170.08 145.06 110.76

During the year 1995, 2005 and 2015 spatial variation differentiate data has been

integrated using GIS Overlay analysis and water quality Zonation mapping has been done for

irrigation and is shown in figure 8.Her it is classified as Good, Medium and Poor quality for

irrigation purposes of the study area.(figure 8)



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1791

Then considering the EC,SAR,RSC and Na% parameters of water quality for irrigation of

the perambalur district, her the year 1995 good to excellent quality is observed in eastern

part of Alathur taluk and kunnam taluk, south end of perambalur taluk.The area under good

quality of irrigation water for the year 1995 is calculated as an area of 861.25 sq km.During

the year 2005 the good quality of irrigation water is found in south east end of the Alathur

taluk, south east of kunnam taluk, North and north east of Veppanthattai taluk and central

part of perambalur taluk.Here is observed a decrease in the area and is calculated to be about

403.24 sq. Km.In the year 2015 Ecellent and Good quality of irrigation water is found in

north eastern part of veppanthattai taluk, west end and south end of Kunnam taluk and south

of perambalur and Alathur taluk.Here is observed a increased in 507.89 sq.km and the

increase in the area because of carried out in reclamation and mining activities in the district.

7. CONCLUSION

The spatial evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation study that the irrigation water

quality has been changed for past 30 years. Particularly the area of good quality was 861.25

sq.km during 1995 and it has reduced to 403.24 sq .km in 2005 .Then it is increased to 507.89

sq.km in 2015. The area under medium quality water is again increased from 722.03 sq.km



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1792

to 1134.71 sq.km and added with good quality area. Based on the zonztion analysis of

groundwater quality of the study area 356.80 sq.km of good quality, 1353.18 sq.km of

medium quality and 43.38 sq.km of poor quality o areas are identified for irrigation purposes.

The waste land and mining activities were observed more in the district durin the period. The

study strongly suggests that waste land programmes in the study area very must and the land

use planners can opt suitable crops for cultivation by understanding the water quality.

REFERENCE

1) Ayers, R.S. and Westcot, D.W. 1985. Water quality for agriculture.rrigation and

drainage. Paper No. 29. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,

Rome, Italy, pp. 1-117.

2) Raghunath, H.M, (1987) "Geochemical Survey and Water Quality", Groundwater.

Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi, pp 343-347

3) Subramanian. Hydro geological studies of the coastal aquifers of Tiruchendur, Tamil

nadu. PhD thesis, 1994 Manonmanian Sundaranar University, Thiruneveli.

4) Jha, A.N. and Verma, P.K. Physico–chemical property of drinking water in town area

of Godda district under Santal Pargana, Bihar. Poll Res. (2000) 19(2), 245–247.

5) C.O (2001) “Water Quality Index: A Tool for Evaluation Water Quality Management

Effectiveness.”Journal of the American Water Resources Association.Vol 37 pp 79-

88.

6) S Anbazhagan, AM Nair (2004) “Geo-graphic information system and groundwater

quality mapping in Panvel Basin, Maharashtra, India” ,Journal of Environmental

Geology, Vol. 45, pp:753–761

7) Subramani .T,Elango.L(2005) “Groundwater quality and suitability for Drinking and

Agricultural use in chitthar River basin,Tamilnadu ,India,Environmental geology.

Vol 47 pp 1099-11103.

8) Pavendar T, Yuvaraj D, Alaguraja P and Deepika .D, Characteristics of Surface Water

Quality- A Case Study in Coimbatore City Corporation, Tamil Nadu, International

Journal of Science and Research Methodology. October 2016 Vol.:4, Issue: 4, pp

70-81.

9) Soumiya Mithran, Shanthi. K, Manikandan .T, Yuvaraj.D & Alaguraja. P, Evaluation

of Ground Water Quality in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu Using GIS

Techniques. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11,

2016, PP- 2031-2041

10) Laluraj, C.M., Gopinath, G., and Dineshkumar, P.K. Groundwater chemistry of

shallow aquifers in the coastal zones of Cochin, India. Applied Ecology and

Environmental Research, (2005) 3(1), 133-139

11) Nas B, Berkay A. (2010) Groundwater quality mapping in urban groundwater using

GIS Environmental Monitering and Assessment 1609(1-4)pp215-227.



ISSN NO:0886-9367

Page No:1793

the international journal of analytical and experimental modal...

Documents