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Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
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Groundwater quality characterization using an integrated water quality index and multivariate statistical techniques.
Vinay Kumar Gautam1,2, Mahesh Kothari1, Baqer Al-Ramadan3,4
1Department of Soil and Water Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan), India.
Plos One
|February 23, 2024
Summary
Groundwater quality in Rajasthan
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrogeology
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Groundwater quality (GWQ) is crucial for potable water supply.
- The Jakham River Basin (JRB) in Southern Rajasthan faces challenges in assessing GWQ.
- Understanding GWQ is vital for public health and sustainable water resource management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and interpret groundwater quality in the JRB.
- To identify critical factors influencing GWQ for potable use.
- To provide baseline data for GWQ development and health protection.
Main Methods:
- Geographic Information System (GIS) environment for spatial analysis.
- Multivariate Statistical Approach (MSA) including Water Quality Index (WQI).
- Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Correspondence Analysis (CA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA).
Main Results:
- WQI values ranged from 28.28 to 116.74 (pre-monsoon) and 29.49 to 111.98 (post-monsoon).
- 63.42% (pre-monsoon) and 42.02% (post-monsoon) of groundwater samples were classified as 'good' for drinking.
- PCA identified geological and anthropogenic influences, with elevated EC, TDS, Na+, Cl-, HCO3-, F-, and SO42-.
Conclusions:
- GIS and MSA effectively characterize and interpret GWQ.
- Anthropogenic and geological factors significantly impact groundwater quality in the JRB.
- Findings support informed GWQ management and public health initiatives in Southern Rajasthan.
