Geohydrological and Geochemical Studies of Yerraguntla Mandal, YSR (Kadapa) District, Andhra Pradesh, using Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

           Drinking water is an important resource that needs to be protected from pollution and biological contamination. Water is vital to health, well-being, food security and socioeconomic development of mankind. Underground water is clean but it depends upon quality and quantity of minerals dispersed and dissolved in it. Therefore, the presence of contaminants in natural fresh water continues to be one of the most important environmental issues in many areas of the world, particularly in developing countries where several communities are far away from potable water supply. Low- income communities, which rely on untreated surface water and groundwater supplies for domestic and agricultural uses are the most exposed to the impact of poor water quality. The aim of this study is to conduct an assessment of the ‘Geohydrological and Geochemical Studies of Yerraguntla Mandal, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, using Remote Sensing Techniques’. The proposed study area in the Yerraguntla revenue mandal of Kadapa Disrict and is shown in the figer 1. The study area falls in the survey of India Top sheet No:57J/06 & 10. Twenty one samples of ground water used for drinking purposed were collected from either hand pumps or open wells at different villages of Yerraguntla mandal of Kadapa District, during the summer season month of March and April 2014. The pH of ground water in the study area is ranging from 2.45 to 8.54. The total hardness of the groundwater in the study area is ranging from 80 to 880mg/l. Water hardness is primarly due to the result of interaction between water and the Geological formation. The calcium concentration of groundwater in the study area is ranging from 40 to 350 mg/l during the pre-monsoon period. The chloride concentration of the ground water in the study area ranging from 127 to 2016.4 mg/l during pre-monsoon period. The bicarbonate concentration of the groundwater in the study area in ranging from 24.4 to 1146.8 mg/l during the pre-monsoon period. The fluoride concentration of the groundwater in the study area ranging from 0.44 to 6.18 mg/l during the pre-monsoon period. Low concentration of fluoride (0.44mg/l) is observed in kalamalla village and high concentration of floured (6.18mg/l) is observed peddanapadu village. Proper deflouridation techniques have to follow to monitor fluoride contamination.