30-A Multivariant Statistical Technique to Determine Hydrogeochemical Variability of Groundwater Quality Data from Shallow Aquifers, Belgaum City, Karnataka

Abstract

A multivarient statistical technique (cluster analyses) has been used to study the hydrogeochemical variability of groundwater quality data from shallow aquifer of Belgaum city, Karnataka. The corporation city of Belgaum is spread over an area of 85 km2 approximately with laterites and basalts as the litho units. Both primary and secondary openings in laterites and only secondary openings in the form of fractures and joints in basalts act as conduits for transmit and storage of groundwater. Thirty-nine groundwater samples were collected from dug wells and analysed for major cations viz., Ca, Mg, Na, K and major anions viz., Cl, SO4, HCO3, CO3. In addition to this pH, EC and TI-I were also determined. Based on the hydrogeochemisty, chemical variability distinguished by cluster analyses suggests three distinct types of groundwater, viz., Mg-HCO3-Na-CI, SO4-TH-EC-Ca and K-pH. Thus it could be concluded that there is a clear relation between the host rock chemistry and anthropogenic activities with the groundwater types and their quality.