The study provides an analysis of groundwater quality to identify probable pollution or contamination in coastal aquifers of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Sampling surveys have been conducted in the months of May 99, August 99 and November 99 and about 186 water samples were collected from shallow wells, filter points, canal water and rainwater. The spatial and temporal variations of water quality parameters are presented in the report.
The correlation between water quality parameters during different seasons is calculated for the study area. The samples collected in the study area are classified according to Chadha (1999) diagram and seasonal changes observed. The main hydro-chemical facies observed in the study area is NaCl. The groundwater level fluctuations in few observation wells have been analyzed.
The Ion Balance Error (IBE) has been calculated for each sample and has been found within + 3 %. The range of temperature, pH and EC during the study period is 28o C to 32o C, 6.6 to 7.9 and 390 to 8222 μhos/ cm respectively.
The range of major anions of Cl, HCO3, SO4 and NO3 is 32 to 1800 ppm respectively. Similarly, the range of cations of Ca, Mg, Na and K is observed as 34 to 390 ppm, 4 to 200 ppm, 45 to 1200 ppm and 6 to 500 ppm respectively.
High nitrate concentrations up to 300 mg/ l are observed in the study area. However, the maximum permissible limit of nitrate in drinking water is 45 mg/l. The spatial distribution of SO4/ Cl ratio also confirms the high concentration of nitrate in the study area.
The report corroborates the need for detailed studies to find out the sources of nitrate pollution and its transport processes in the coastal aquifer of Kakinada. The high concentrations of nitrates may cause health hazards if used for drinking water purposes especially for infants.
Download the report here:
A_baseline_survey_of_groundwater_quality_in_coastal_aquifer_Andhra_Pradesh_NIH_1999_2000.pdf
