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Major ion, trace metal and environmental isotope characterization of groundwater in selected parts of Uddanam coastal region, Andhra Pradesh, India

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Abstract

This paper elaborates the hydrochemical and environmental isotope (δ2H and δ18O) inferences obtained from Uddanam region, Andhra Pradesh, India. Groundwater samples collected during pre-monsoon (June 2019) showed that the quality is fresh (EC < 1539 µS/cm) and contaminants like fluoride (<1.6 mg/L) and nitrate (<49 mg/L) are present within permissible limits. The composite water quality indices for drinking (DWQI: 14.1–92.5) and irrigation (IWQI: 2.8–20.2) are found to be satisfactory. The major water types are found to be Ca–Na–HCO3, Na–Ca–HCO3, Na–Mg–HCO3–Cl, Ca–Mg–HCO3–Cl and Na–HCO3. Three geochemical pathways are found signifying evaporite dissolution, contribution of silicate mineral weathering and base-exchange process, which is supported by estimated chloro-alkaline indices (CAI-1: −4.3 to −0.2, CAI-2: −1.03 to −0.08). Trace metal data clearly suggest that groundwater is free from any metal pollution. Dissolved silica (SiO2) levels range from 34 to 131 mg/L and do not show any particular spatial trend. Isotope data infer that groundwater is recharged by rainwater after undergoing evaporation (δ18O: −6.0‰), which matches with that of the combined isotope signature (δ18O: −5.5‰) of SW and NE monsoon rainfall. δ18O–TDS correlations and hydrochemical facies evolution (HFE) diagram do not infer any seawater intrusion into these coastal aquifers.

Highlights

  • The composite water quality indices infer good to excellent category for drinking and agriculture.

  • Mineral weathering, evaporite dissolution and base-exchange reactions are the main geochemical processes.

  • Dissolved silica occurrence in groundwater is sporadic.

  • Isotope indicators show the signature of both SW and NE monsoons recharge to groundwater.

  • Observed brackishness in groundwater is due to water – rock interaction and not due to sea water intrusion.

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Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank Dr. P K Pujari, Director, RC&I Group, BARC, and Dr. H J Pant, Head, Isotope and Radiation Application Division, BARC for the constant support and encouragement. We also thank District Water Management Authority (DWMA), Srikakulam for collecting samples for trace metal and Analytical Chemistry Division, BARC for carrying out trace metal measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Isotope Hydrology Section, Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India

    Tirumalesh Keesari, Anndasankar Roy, Diksha Pant & Uday Kumar Sinha

  2. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, India

    Tirumalesh Keesari, Anndasankar Roy & Diksha Pant

  3. Department of Chemistry, School of Science, GITAM University, Hyderabad, India

    P V Nagendra Kumar

  4. Department of Chemistry, School of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    L Vaikunta Rao

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  1. Tirumalesh Keesari
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Contributions

Tirumalesh Keesari: Planning, sampling, data interpretation, manuscript writing. Anndasankar Roy: Preparing graphs and data interpretation. Diksha Pant: Manuscript preparation and literature survey. Uday Kumar Sinha: Manuscript preparation. P V Nagendra Kumar: Sampling and providing background information. L Vaikunta Rao: Sampling and providing background information.

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Correspondence to Tirumalesh Keesari.

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Communicated by N V Chalapathi Rao

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Keesari, T., Roy, A., Pant, D. et al. Major ion, trace metal and environmental isotope characterization of groundwater in selected parts of Uddanam coastal region, Andhra Pradesh, India. J Earth Syst Sci 129, 205 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-020-01467-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-020-01467-0

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