Abstract:
Agricultural activities act as dominant polluter
of groundwater due to increased fertilizers and pesticides
usage. Bist-Doab region, Punjab, India, is one such region
facing deterioration of groundwater quality due to usage of
fertilizers. This study aims in delineating and evaluating
the groundwater quality in the region. Water samples are
collected from canals, reservoir, and shallow and deep
groundwater. Water types in canal and reservoir in Kandi
region are Mg2?HCO3
- and Mg2?Ca2?Na?HCO3
-,
respectively. While water types of shallow and deep
groundwaters are found to be of two types: Na?Mg2?-
Ca2?HCO3
- and Ca2?Mg2?Na?HCO3
-. Presence of
Mg2? in groundwater at locations adjoining canals indicates
recharge due to canal. The major ion (Na?, Mg2?,
Ca2?, HCO3
-) chemistry of the region is due to weathering
of rocks that are rich in sodic minerals and kankar. Deep
groundwater quality in the region meets BIS and WHO
standards for drinking purpose, unlike shallow groundwater
which is of poor quality at many locations. Both shallow
and deep groundwater with high sodium concentration
([1.5 meq/l) affect cropping yield and permeability of soil
matrix. High concentration of SO4
2- and NO3
2- ([1 meq/
l) in shallow groundwater at few locations indicates influence
of anthropogenic (fertilizer) activity. Factor analysis
indicates that the major cations, bicarbonate and chloride
are derived from weathering/dissolution of source rocks.
Higher concentration of nitrate and presence of sulphate in
shallow groundwater at few locations is due to usage of
fertilizers and pesticides.
