Geochemistry and Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Purpose: A Study from Damalcheruvu Area, Pakala Mandal, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The suitability of groundwater quality agricultural purposes was assessed in a predominantly farming and sprawling settlement in the Damalcheruvu area, Pakala mandal of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Various water quality parameters were determined to assess groundwater quality of 15 wells in the study area .Standard methods for physicochemical determinations were employed. Dugwells and boreholes water samples were collected within the locality and analyzed. The quality assessment is made through the estimation of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Ca, Na, K, Mg, CO₃ and HCO₃. Based on these analyses, parameters like Sodium Adsorption ratio (SAR), Residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Kelly’s ratio (KR.), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MR), and Sodium percentage (Na%) were calculated. This study indicates that most of the water is suitable for irrigation purposes. On the basis of SAR, RSC, KR, and sodium percentage all the groundwater samples in the study area are good for irrigation. Whereas on the basis of Magnesium Adsorption ratio, 5 water samples are suitable, while 10 water samples are not suitable for irrigation. High values of MAR at some sites restrict the suitability of groundwater for agricultural purposes and demands special management plan for the area. Overall the groundwater quality of the study area is suitable for irrigational purpose.