37-Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Western and North-Eastern Regions of Rajasthan

Abstract

The quality of groundwater in western and northeastern part of Rajasthan covering Jodhpur, Jaipur and Dausa districts has been assessed to see the suitability of groundwater for drinking purpose. Groundwater samples were collected and analysed for various water quality constituents, viz, pH, conductance, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, major cations (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and major anions (bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, nitrate) and fluoride. The groundwater in these districts has varied nature of chemical quality which is influenced to great extent by regional geomorphic and hydrogeologic features. In some patches of district Jaipur and Jodhpur, very high values of nitrate and fluoride concentrations were observed. Higher concentrations of nitrate were observed in deep aquifers of drinking water sources. Higher fluoride zone may be attributed to distribution of fluoride bearing minerals in the soil, their solubilisation characteristics, nature of the product with soil and other environmental conditions. The parameters influencing the concentration of fluoride are observed to be pH and alkalinity.