nd

Proceedings of the 2 International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
INTERNATIONAL
JOURNAL OF CIVIL
17 19, JulyENGINEERING
2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India
AND TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)

IJCIET

ISSN 0976 6308 (Print)

ISSN 0976 6316(Online)
Volume 5, Issue 9, September (2014), pp. 57-64
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IAEME

QUALITY STATUS OF GROUNDWATER AROUND INDUSTRIAL AREA

FOR IRRIGATION
Thanushree M. S 1,

Latha S2

Assistant professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, SJCE, Mysore, Karnataka, India,

Student perceiving MTech in Health Science and Water Engineering, SJCE, Mysore, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT
Minimization of hazards needs the study of acceptable limit of hazardous loads. The study
was made to determine the groundwater quality status in and around the Tubinakere industrial area,
Mandya district, Karnataka. 96 samples from 16 locations were collected and analyzed, the data
showed that correlation coefficient of calcium-chloride was 1% significant with permanent hardness
and minimal temporary hardness; electrical conductivity as non-saline, normal and high saline waters
and residual sodium carbonate as non-alkaline, low and medium alkalinity waters but sodium
absorption ratio as non-sodic and normal sodicity waters. Study reveals the permanent hardness,
salinity and alkalinity hazards.
Keywords: Contamination, Groundwater, Irrigation Pollution load, Salinization.
1. INTRODUCTION
The development of agriculture is a key factor in the economic development of a country like
India, as the agriculture is the main source of sustenance for the majority of the population (about
700 million) in the country and contributes 46% to the gross national product. Exploitation of
groundwater has increased greatly, particularly for agricultural purpose, because large parts of the
country have little access to rainfall due to frequent failures of monsoon and variable flow of surface
water sources (rivers, lakes and artificial basins). Groundwater irrigation started with only 6.5
million hectares (Mha) in 19501951, which was increased to 46.5 (Mha) in 20002001 [7], meeting
about 70% of the irrigation water requirements of the country. This clearly indicates the growing
pressure on groundwater resources. Poor water quality will adversely affect the plant growth and
human health. Adverse conditions increase investment in irrigation and health, and decrease
agricultural production, which in turn, reduces agrarian economy and retards improvement in the
living conditions of rural people [7].
Study of chemical composition of groundwater can give understanding of characteristics of
irrigation water and also their pollution status. So far not much study on groundwater quality for
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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

irrigation in industrial area of Mandya district has been conducted. The objective of present study is
to analyze the groundwater for various parameters such as electrical conductivity, calcium,
magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride and sulphate and to determine the salinity
hazard, specific ion toxicity hazard, sodicity hazard, alkalinity hazard and correlation between major
cations and anions through correlation matrix.
1.1 MATERIALS AND METHODS
1.1.1 The study site
The research work was conducted in Tubinakere industrial area which is located around
10Km away from Mandya city and being located between Bangalore and Mysore. There are nearly
65 industries being located in the area. There are 18 red category, 13 orange category and 33 green
category industries in the vicinity. Also it consists of 13 chemical industries, 1 hazardous waste Reprocessing industry, 1 Re-cycling/ Reprocessing used oil industry, 1 lead acid storage batteries
industry, 3 granite cutting and polishing industries, 3 animal feeds industries and some other agro
based industries. With this regards present study is a taken assessment of groundwater, lake water
quality and soil fertility check in the region of Tubinakere Industrial Area, Mandya.
1.1.2 Sample collection and analysis
The main objective of the research work is to study the impact of industries on groundwater
quality. The groundwater pollution might occur due to intrusion of effluents discharges from the
industries, rock deformations, agricultural returns and application of fertilizers during farming. The
site selection was divided into 4 zones namely at the industrial area (6 samples), 0.5Km and 1Km
away from industrial area (6 samples from agricultural lands) and 2Km away from industrial area (4
samples from Tubinakere and Kalenalli villages domestic bore wells). The water sample were
collected in 15 days intervals of 6 trials in sterilized polyethylene cans (2-L capacity) and was
transported to the laboratory for chemical analysis. The samples were analyzed as per the procedure
laid down in APHA (1998). The results are given in Table1.
Table 1: Average concentration of cations, anions, EC and total hardness of groundwater
quality status for irrigation
Sampling
Points/
Parameter
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
S8
S9
S10
S11
S12
S13
S14
S15
S16

EC

Ca

Mg

Na

HCO-3

Cl

SO4

NO3

TH

SAR

RSC

0.653
0.673
2.42
5.51
2.74
5.46
2.34
1.927
2.554
2.728
6.31
6.57
2.171
0.660
0.669
0.648

0.44
0.48
0.80
1.77
0.86
2.19
1.32
0.81
0.65
4.90
5.74
4.79
1.11
0.60
134
1.47

0.18
0.81
0.86
1.76
0.18
1.81
0.76
0.54
0.53
0.86
1.53
1.76
0.46
0.56
0.52
0.53

0.46
0.47
1.03
1.35
1.26
1.75
0.36
0.33
6.45
0.42
0.95
0.35
0.36
0.36
0.32
0.34

0.04
0.04
0.19
0.16
0.08
0.25
0.06
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.05
0.04
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06

3.57
2.93
3.20
4.58
3.94
4.12
5.83
4.13
3.43
4.23
4.15
3.42
4.60
4.37
4.38
4.18

0.5
0.64
4.78
10.33
5.73
13.75
3.96
4.28
5.87
21.17
11.50
17.65
1.49
2.20
1.7
2.53
-1

1.51
1.41
2.37
2.63
1.50
2.53
1.57
2.16
3.31
2.83
2.55
3.90
2.46
2.32
2.96
2.95

0.44
0.51
0.54
0.53
0.46
0.44
0.35
0.42
0.37
0.57
0.51
0.62
0.41
0.43
0.48
0.41

1.94
1.94
5.57
23.53
6.65
20.41
7.61
6.22
7.55
21.42
18.47
26.64
3.56
4.31
3.91
4.30

0.83
0.58
1.13
1.02
1.75
1.24
0.35
0.40
8.40
0.25
0.49
0.20
0.41
0.47
0.33
0.43

2.95
1.64
1.54
1.05
2.9
0.12
3.75
2.78
2.25
-ve
-ve
-ve
3.03
3.21
2.52
2.18

*All parameters in milli-equivalent per liter (meqL ) except EC and SAR: EC=Electrical
conductivity (dSm-1), SAR=Sodium Absorption Ratio (calculated from equation 1), RSC= Residual
Sodium Carbonate (Calculated from equation 2); -ve = Negative value.
S1 to S6 = Industrial bore wells; S7 to S12= Agricultural bore wells; S13 to S16= Domestic bore wells.
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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

2.1 Salinity hazard
2.1.1 Electrical conductivity (EC)
The average values of EC for 16 groundwater samples varied from 0.64-6.57 dSm-1. On the
basis of EC the irrigation water may be classified into six salinity classes as shown in Table 2. The
classification of irrigation water with respect to salinity hazard on the basis of EC is based primarily
on the development of salinity in the soil to the extent that yields are affected adversely. The present
data show that the average values in study area belongs to classes C-1, normal waters (i.e. S1, S2, S14,
S15, S16); C-2, Low salinity waters (i.e. S13, S10, S9, S8, S7, S5, S3) and C-4 High salinity waters (i.e.
S4, S6, S12, S11). The normal water can be used for irrigation but not the high saline waters due to
proportionate dissolved salts occurrence which intend effects the leaching requirements [3], [4]. The
study established that the two of agricultural lands are posed to salinity hazard.
Table 2: Classification of irrigation water on the basis of Electrical Conductivity (EC) in
(dSm-1)
Class

EC

EC for study

(Gupta 1979 a & b)[8]

(standard)

area(observed)

C-0, Non saline waters

<0.2

C-1, Normal waters

0.2-1.5

0.64-0.73

C-2, Low salinity waters

1.5-3.0

1.9-2.74

C-3, Medium salinity waters

3.0-5.0

C-4,High salinity waters

5.0-10.0

5.51-6.57

C-5,Very high salinity waters

>10.0

2.2 Specific ion toxicity hazard

Data present in Table 3 show that calcium was the most abundant cation for all the
groundwater on the equivalent basis, calcium is accounted for 48.15% of total cations followed by
sodium 27.24%, magnesium 22.45% and potassium 2.15%. The possible source of ions in the study
area may be identified in soil particulates and also from effluent runoff. In low salinity water,
calcium dominates over magnesium ions if Ca/Mg ratio is less than 1. Data show that Ca/Mg ratio as
2.15. Occurrence of magnesium ions in higher proportion than calcium ions tend to increase the
adverse effect due to sodicity. Therefore, if the proportion of magnesium amongst divalent cations is
high and conversely if calcium predominates the hazard is low. Magnesium is known to affect plant
mainly reducing calcium uptake and causing calcium deficiency. However, with high concentrations
of calcium, there is no specific ion toxicity effect due to magnesium [5]. Chlorides were abundant
anions for all the groundwater samples. On equivalent basis it is accounted for 50.95% of total
anions followed by bicarbonates 30.67% and sulphates 18.37%. Based on these results the traces of
ions may be identified in soil particulates and also might be due to the effluent intrusion to the
groundwater. Science the percentage of chloride dominates the calcium ions it tends to precipitate
the calcium ions during evaporation and hence it is undesirable. Hence there exists the ion toxicity
hazard.

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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Table 3: Occurrence of relative percentage (%) among cations and anions

Ions
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Total cations concentration
Bicarbonates
Chloride
Sulphate
Total anions concentration

meq/L
1.83
0.85
1.04
0.08
3.79
4.07
6.75
2.43
13.26

%
48.15
22.15
27.24
2.15
100
30.67
50.95
18.36
100

2.3 Sodicity hazard

2.3.1 Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR)
Sodium concentration is an important criterion in irrigation because it reacts with the soil to
create sodium hazards by replacing other cations. The extent of this replacement is estimated by
SAR. The SAR is calculated from the Equation 1 and the data are present in Tables 1 and 4.

 



(1)

 




The data indicate that SAR values for groundwater belongs to class S-0, non-sodic waters and
S-1, normal water (i.e. S9). These waters can be used for irrigation on almost all soils for all crops.
Among the soluble salts of irrigation water, sodium is considered as suitable according to salinity but
may not be suitable if sodium predominates. In a magnesium-dominated water (ratio of Ca/Mg<1),
the potential effect of sodium may be slightly increased. In other words, a given SAR value will
show slightly more damage if the Ca/Mg is less than 1. The lower the ratio, the more damaging is the
SAR. The classification of irrigation waters with respect to sodic hazard on the basis of SAR is
established primarily on the increase of exchangeable sodium and its effect on the physical condition
of the soil [3, 6, 9 and 10]. The groundwater quality at the study area is free from sodicity hazard and
can be used for irrigation purpose.
Table 4: Classification of irrigation water on the basis of sodium absorption ratio (SAR)
Class
(Gupta 1979 a & b)[8]
S-0, Non sodic waters
S-1, Normal waters
S-2, Low sodicity waters
S-3, Medium sodicity waters
S-4,High sodicity waters
S-5,Very high sodicity waters

SAR (standard)
<5
5.0-10.0
10.0-20.0
20.0-30.0
30.0-40.0
>40.0

SAR for study

area(observed)
0.2-1.75
8.4 (S9)
-

2.4 Alkalinity hazard

2.4.1 Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC)
RSC can be calculated from the Equation 2 and the data are presented in Table 1 and 5.

         
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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

All ions are expressed as meqL-1. The classification of irrigation waters with respect to
bicarbonate or carbonate alkalinity hazard on the basis of RSC is based primarily on the precipitation
of calcium or magnesium and pairing of residual carbonate or bicarbonate with sodium and
formation sodium carbonate in the soil and increasing SAR, characterizing it as alkali soil. On the
basis of RSC, the irrigation water can be classified in six classes as represented in Table 5 [3, 6, 9
and 10].
RSC values in the study area represented the classes of A-0, non-alkaline waters for 3
samples (i.e. S10, S11, S12); A-2, low alkalinity waters for 6 samples (i.e. S2, S3, S4, S6, S9, S16) and A3, medium alkaline waters for 7 samples (i.e. S1, S5, S7, S8, S13, S14, S15). Non-alkaline waters can be
used for irrigation even those sensitive to carbonates and bicarbonates but low and medium alkalinity
waters create permeability problem if drainage is impeded, rainfall is unduly low and evaporation is
very high.
Table 5: Classification of irrigation water on the basis of Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC)
Class
RSC (standard)
RSC for study
(Gupta 1979 a & b)[8]
area(observed)
A-0, Non alkaline waters
-ve
3 samples
A-1, Normal waters
0
A-2, Low-alkalinity waters
<2.5
6 samples
A-3, Medium-alkalinity waters
2.5-5.0
7 samples
A-4,High-alkalinity waters
5.0-10.0
A-5,Very high-alkalinity waters
>10.0
2.5 Correlation matrix
Correlations between major cations and anions were carried out using Pearsons correlation.
A correlation Analysis is a bivariate method applied to describe the degree of relation between two
hydro chemical parameters. A high correlation co-efficient (near 1 or -1) means a good relationship
between two variables and its value around zero means no relationship between them at a significant
level. Correlation co-efficient has been calculated between each pair of water quality parameters
using excel spread sheet for the experimental data. Let X and Y are the two variables, then the
correlation r between the variable X and Y is given by Equation 3.
 ,  

 !!

"  !! 

(3)

Statistical correlation analysis were carried out to detect possible common sources of
pollution and to determine which components are responsible for the acidity and alkalinity content of
groundwater and also give the relation between one ion to another ion [2].
Table 6 shows the study of matrix of coefficient of groundwater in which the calcium and
chloride ions are 1% significant which signifies the permanent hardness. The permanent hardness
causing ions are yielding positive correlation coefficients (like Mg-Cl, Ca-SO4, Mg-SO4, Ca-NO3,
and Mg-NO3) and minimal temporary hardness caused due to bicarbonates of calcium and
magnesium. This study indicates the presence of permanent hardness than the temporal hardness in
support to this the hardness is observed potentially with high values at the agricultural fields as
shown in the Table 1.

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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Table 6: Correlation coefficients of groundwater samples between major cations and anions
Ions
Ca++
Mg++
Na+
K+
ClSO4-2
NO3HCO3-

Ca++
1
0.628
-0.1556
-0.0961
0.8317**
0.5026
0.6097
0.0548

Mg++

Na+

K+

Cl-

SO4-2

NO3-

HCO3-

1
0.0019
0.4919
0.6889
0.4393
0.5394
0.00318

1
0.1679
0.0574
0.2916
-0.301
-0.2658

1
0.2198
0.03701
0.075
-0.0183

1
0.5245
0.6142
-0.0152

1
0.3507
-0.1221

1
-0.4405

**Correlation significant at the 1% level at n-1 degree of freedom where n= number of sampling
stations [2], [6] and [8].
2.6 PIPER DIAGRAM
The software GW_CHART was used to study the piper plot distribution of major cations and
anions. The piper diagram presented in the figure 2 indicates the water type. The plot in the diagram
indicates the water types based on the distribution of ions of all 16 samples indicated by the different
colors and symbols as show in the figure1. One of the agricultural field and industrial samples fell
under the relation of Na-K-Cl-SO4 zone and the samples of college bore well samples kept the effect
as Ca-Mg-HCO3 and the rest of the samples in the study area are Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 in which strong
acidic anions exceeds weak acidic anions. Such water has the permanent hardness [6], [10].
Samples S10, S11, S12 is Ca-Cl water type; S5, S9 are Na-Cl water type; S1, S2, S7, S13, S14, S15,
S16 are CaHCO3 type of water and S6, S4, S3, S8 are mixed Ca-Mg-Cl water types chemical
compositions. The domestically used drinking waters is been subjected as temporary hardness. The
agricultural lands are at 1Km apart is subjected with permanent hardness by calcium and 0.5 Km is
subjected with mixed calcium and magnesium ions permanent hardness.

Figure 1: Data input to groundwater piper chart to obtain the plot indicating the chemical
composition
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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Figure 2: Trilinear piper diagram of groundwater samples in the area

1-Calcium Magnesium Sulphate Chloride; 2-Sodium Chloride Sulphate;
3-Sodium Bicarbonate; 4-Calcium Magnesium Bicarbonate.
A-Mixed zone; B-Magnesium; C-Sodium Potassium; D-Calcium; E- Mixed
zone; F-Sulphate; G-Chloride; H-Bicarbonate. [6], [10]

3. CONCLUSIONS
Quality of groundwater samples indicates that salinity impact is high, low and normal, thus
indicates salinity hazard. Calcium ion (48.15%) dominates among cations and chloride (50.95%)
among anions, thus tending to toxicity hazard. Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) indicates non-sodic
and normal waters. Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) falls under non-alkaline, low and medium
alkalinity waters, thus posing the permeability problems. Correlation between major cations and
anions and the ion distribution in the piper diagram indicates the presence of the permanent hardness
rather the temporary hardness in the study area. The so far study concludes that the selected
groundwater samples are at potentials hazards with respect to salinity, specific ion toxicity, alkalinity
and the permanent hardness.
4. DISCUSSIONS
The corrective measures have to be taken by the concerned authority in order to help those
farmers to retain their lands and upgrade their irrigation facility thereby increasing the crop yield.
Although this might be the issue of few hectares of land but the same name of urbanization is used to
pollute the environment in many of the regions in the developing countries like India.

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Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Current Trends in Engineering and Management ICCTEM -2014
17 19, July 2014, Mysore, Karnataka, India

5. REFERENCES
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American Public Health Association, New York.
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3. Gupta I.C. Use of saline water in agriculture in arid and semi-arid zones of India., Oxford
and IBH publishing Co. Pvt Ltd., New Delhi, 1979a, pp-210.
4. Gupta I.C. Note on the effect of leaching and gypsum on the detoxification of Boron in
saline-sodic soils, Current Agriculture, vol-4, 1979b, pp: 51-55.
5. Meri A and Shalhavet J Crop growth under saline conditions in ecological studies: analysis
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6. Mohsen Ben Alaya, Salwa Saidi, Thouraya Zemni and Fouad Zargouni Sutability
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7. Subba Rao N Seasonal variation of groundwater quality in a part of Guntur District, Andhra
Pradesh, India, Environmental Geology Springer-verlang, vol-49, No.49, 2006, pg:413429.
8. Shivashankara G. P and Puneetha H.S Quality status of water in village ponds for
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