Geochemistry and quality of groundwater of the Yarmouk basin aquifer, north Jordan

Improving multidimensional normal cloud model to evaluate groundwater quality with grey wolf optimization algorithm and projection pursuit method

Groundwater quality is related to several uncertain factors. Using multidimensional normal cloud model to reduce the randomness and ambiguity of the integrated groundwater quality evaluation is important in environmental research. Previous optimizations of multidimensional normal cloud models have focused on improving the affiliation criteria of the evaluation results, neglecting the weighting scheme of multiple indicators. In this study, a new multidimensional normal cloud model was constructed for the existing one-dimensional normal cloud model (ONCM) by combining the projection-pursuit (PP) method and the Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm. The effectiveness and robustness of the model were analyzed. The results showed that compared with ONCM, the new multidimensional normal cloud model (GWOPPC model) integrated multiple evaluation parameters, simplified the modeling process, and reduced the number of calculations for the affiliation degree. Compared with other metaheuristic optimization algorithms, the GWO algorithms converged within 20 iterations during 20 simulations showing faster convergence speed, and the convergence results of all objective functions satisfy the iteration accuracy of 0.001, which indicates that the algorithm is more stable. Compared to the traditional entropy weights (0.27, 0.23, 0.47, 0.44, 0.29, 0.59, 0.12) or principal component weights (0.38, 0.33, 0.42, 0.34, 0.47, 0.29, 0.38), the weight allocation scheme provided by the GWOPP method (0.50, 0.48, 0.05, 0.38, 0.02. 0.51 and 0.32) considers the density of the distribution of all samples in the data set space. Among all 55 groundwater samples, the GWOPPC model has 21 samples with lower evaluation ratings than the fuzzy evaluation method, and 28 samples lower than the Random Forest method or the WQI method, indicating that the GWOPPC model is more conservative under the conditions of considering fuzziness and randomness. This method can be used to evaluate groundwater quality in other areas to provide a basis for the planning and management of groundwater resources.

Groundwater quality assessment for drinking purpose using traditional and fuzzy-GIS-based water quality index in Gurugram District of Haryana, India

Primarily groundwater is consumed for the drinking and irrigation purpose. However, due to increasing anthropogenic activities, its quality and quantity have substantially declined over time. The focus of this study is to evaluate the pre-monsoonal groundwater quality and its spatial variability for drinking purposes in the Gurugram, Haryana, India. Ground Water quality index (GWQI) developed on the basis of the Geographical Information System is effective in the assessment of groundwater quality and its spatial variability, but it is unable to account for uncertainties related to environmental problems. Thus, a Hybrid Fuzzy-GIS-based Water Quality Index (FGQI) has been proposed for the assessment of groundwater quality. The study conducted factor analysis to identify the prime factors responsible for groundwater contamination and collected pre-monsoonal groundwater samples through primary sampling. The groundwater quality was assessed based on eight hydro geochemical parameters (pH, TDS, Calcium, Chloride, Sulfate, Fluoride, Potassium, and Sodium). The spatial interpolation of each parameter was performed using appropriate techniques, selected based on a normality test. The guidelines of the World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian Standard were incorporated in the development of GWQI and FGQI, respectively. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the best fuzzy overlay technique for FGQI, and the Fuzzy GAMMA technique with gamma equal to 0.9 was selected. Finally, the GWQI and FGQI were classified into three classes: unsuitable, moderate suitable, and suitable using "natural break". A higher index indicates a higher water quality. The results show that the groundwater in the central part of Gurugram is suitable for drinking, while it is not suitable in the extreme north, south-east, and western regions. In conclusion, this study finds that FGQI effectively assesses the groundwater quality in the region better than GWQI.

State-of-the-art of research progress on adsorptive removal of fluoride-contaminated water using biochar-based materials: Practical feasibility through reusability and column transport studies

Fluoride (F^-) is one of the essential elements found in soil and water released from geogenic sources and several anthropogenic activities. Fluoride causes fluorosis, dental and skeletal growth problems, teeth mottling, and neurological damage due to prolonged consumption, affecting millions worldwide. Adsorption is an extensively implemented technique in water and wastewater treatment for fluoride, with significant potential due to efficiency, cost-effectiveness, ease of operation, and reusability. This review highlights the current state of knowledge for fluoride adsorption using biochar-based materials and the limitations of biochar for fluoride-contaminated groundwater and industrial wastewater treatment. Biochar materials have shown significant adsorption capacities for fluoride under the influence of low pH, biochar dose, initial concentration, temperature, and co-existing ions. Modified biochar possesses various functional groups (-OH, -CC, -C-O, -CONH, -C-OH, X-OH), in which enhanced hydroxyl (-OH) groups onto the surface plays a significant role in fluoride adsorption via electrostatic attraction and ion exchange. Regeneration and reusability of biochar sorbents need to be performed to a greater extent to improve removal efficiency and reusability in field conditions. Furthermore, the present investigation identifies the limitations of biochar materials in treating fluoride-contaminated drinking groundwater and industrial effluents. The fluoride removal using biochar-based materials at an industrial scale for understanding the practical feasibility is yet to be documented. This review work recommend the feasibility of biochar-based materials in column studies for fluoride remediation in the future.

Hydrochemical evaluation of water quality and its influencing factors in a closed inland lake basin of Northern China

Understanding the water quality and its influencing factors of different water bodies is essential for managing water resources in closed inland lake basins in semi-arid regions. However, generally, groundwater or surface water is assessed separately, and the differences among different water bodies are neglected. This study assessed the water quality and its influencing factors of different water bodies in the Daihai Lake Basin (a closed inland lake basin in a semi-arid region) by analysing the hydrochemical data of groundwater, and spring, river, and lake waters in the dry and wet seasons. The dominant hydrochemical type of groundwater (81.48%), spring water (80%), and river water (83.33%) was HCO3–Ca•Mg, while that of lake water was Cl-Na (100%). Groundwater, spring water, and river water were suitable for drinking and agricultural irrigation; however, the groundwater quality was worse in the wet season than in the dry season. Na+ and Cl– majorly affected the lake water quality. The mean NO3– concentration in groundwater was 28.39 mg/L, and its non-carcinogenic hazard quotient indicated that high risk areas were mainly distributed in Tiancheng and northern Maihutu. The hydrochemical compositions of groundwater, spring water, and river water were mainly influenced by rock (silicate and carbonate) weathering and cation exchange, and agricultural activities were the main sources of groundwater NO3–. Moreover, the lake hydrochemical composition was mainly affected by evaporation and halite dissolution. Thus, groundwater NO3– pollution and lake water salinisation should be prioritised. These findings provide a more thorough understanding of water quality and its influencing factors in the closed inland lake basin in the semi-arid region, and can be used to develop the protection of ecosystems and water resources management strategies in the Daihai Lake Basin.

Evaluation of Groundwater Suitability for Irrigation and Drinking Purposes in an Agricultural Region of the North China Plain

Groundwater is an irreplaceable resource for irrigation and drinking in the North China Plain, and the quality of groundwater is of great importance to human health and social development. In this study, using the information from 59 groups of groundwater samples, groundwater quality conditions for irrigation and drinking purposes in an agricultural region of the North China Plain were analyzed. The groundwater belongs to a Quaternary loose rock pore water aquifer. The depths of shallow groundwater wells are 20–150 m below the surface, while the depths of deep groundwater wells are 150–650 m. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (%Na), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium hazard (MH), permotic index (PI) and electrical conductivity (EC) were selected as indexes to evaluate the shallow groundwater suitability for irrigation. What’s more, the deep groundwater suitability for drinking was assessed and the human health risk of excessive chemicals in groundwater was studied. Results revealed that SAR, Na% and RSC indexes indicated the applicability of shallow groundwater for agricultural irrigation in the study area. We found 57.1% of the shallow groundwater samples were located in high salinity with a low sodium hazard zone. The concentrations of fluorine (F−) in 79.0% of the deep groundwater samples and iodine (I−) in 21.1% of the deep groundwater samples exceeded the permissible limits, respectively. The total hazard quotient (HQ) values of fluorine in over half of the deep groundwater samples exceeded the safety limits, and the health risk degree was ranked from high to low as children, adult females and adult males. In addition to natural factors, the soil layer compression caused by groundwater over-exploitation increased the fluorine concentration in groundwater. Effective measures are needed to reduce the fluorine content of the groundwater of the study area.

Hydrochemical characterization and quality assessment of groundwater in the hilly area of the Taihang Mountains in Henan Province, China

This study evaluated the quality of groundwater and its suitability for drinking and irrigation in the hilly area of the Taihang Mountains in Henan Province, China. Groundwater samples were collected from 43 unconfined and 20 confined wells and analyzed. The pollution index of groundwater (PIG) was estimated based on the physicochemical parameters, and seven indices, including the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (%Na), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), magnesium ratio (MR), Kelley's ratio (KR), and corrosivity ratio (CR), were calculated to qualify the groundwater within the research area for irrigation activities. Multivariate statistical techniques were performed to better understand the hydrochemical processes. Chemical analysis showed that the dominant cation and anion were Ca²⁺ and HCO₃^-, respectively, and the principal hydrochemical facies was Ca-Mg-HCO₃. In terms of pH, total dissolved solids, Na⁺, Cl^-, F^-, and SO₄^2-, most samples were well within the limits prescribed by Chinese standards for drinking water quality, but more than half of the unconfined samples exceeded the specified limits for total hardness and nitrate. The PIG values suggested the pollution level was insignificant for all confined water samples and 72.09% of unconfined water samples, but the PIG distribution map showed that the water in the south central part of the study area had low to moderate pollution. According to the computed values of SAR, %Na, RSC, PI, KR, and MR and the results of a salinity diagram, the results further indicated that most of the studied samples were appropriate for irrigation usage. Only the CR values rendered 41.86% of the unconfined samples and 20% of the confined samples unfit for irrigation. Hence, proper measures are needed to resolve the corrosivity problem. Factor analysis resulted in the extraction of 3 factors that explained 81% of the data variability, and the extracted factors pointed towards geogenic factors governing the groundwater quality.

Study on the groundwater quality and its influencing factor in Songyuan City, Northeast China, using integrated hydrogeochemical method

Clean groundwater resources are important for the health of human. In Songyuan City, Northeast China, anthropogenic activities have led to changes in groundwater circulation, thereby depleting the aquifer system and causing water quality deterioration. To evaluate the genesis of water quality, we analyzed the hydrochemical and stable isotope compositions of shallow and deep groundwater. According to drinking water quality standards, the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and NO₃^- in 23.0, 30.2 and 35.4% of the samples, respectively, exceeded the acceptable ranges. The groundwater chemistry in these samples was related to geochemical processes and agricultural pollution. The hydrochemical analysis explained the reaction mechanisms in each aquifer, showing that the main source of ions in both deep and shallow groundwater is the weathering of silicate rock. In addition, the dissolution of carbonate minerals and artificial pollutants is greater in the shallow groundwater. The stable isotope results showed that long-term extraction is the cause of the diffusion of pollutants in shallow aquifers. Moreover, because most of the well-drilling techniques are backward, the aquifer structure is destroyed, and the deep groundwater is mixed with the shallow groundwater during the process of artificial extraction. The study also analyzed the conditions of the water-rock reaction. Combined with the geological background, it was found that the deep CO₂ gas reservoir could provide the necessary material source for the reactions. Owing to frequent tectonic activities, deep CO₂ could be discharged to the surface through the fault zone, which promotes the water-rock reaction in this area.

Assessment of groundwater quality and associated health risk in the arid environment, Western Saudi Arabia

Groundwater quality and associated health risk in the arid environment, Rabigh basin, Western Saudi Arabia, was assessed using an integrated approach namely groundwater suitability zone (GWSZ) maps, drinking water quality index (DWQI), irrigation water quality (IWQ) parameters, irrigation water quality index (IWQI), chronic daily index (CDI), and hazard quotient (HQ). Groundwater samples were collected (n = 50) and analysed. Groundwater is alkaline (80%), fresh to brackish, and hard to very hard, and 78% of samples exceeded the international drinking water safe limit. The DWQI indicates that groundwater samples are excellent (24%), good (24%), poor (20%), very poor (10%), and unsuitable (22%) classes for drinking use. Total HQ (HQ_oral F^- + HQ_oral NO₃^-) indicated that 68%, 80%, and 72% of samples express non-carcinogenic health threat to adult, children, and infant, respectively, in the study region. IWQ parameters, namely, EC, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly's ratio (KR), sodium percentage (Na%), permeability index (PI), and magnesium hazard (MH), suggest that 72%, 66%, 64%, 98%, and 92% of samples have SAR < 6, KR < 1, MH < 50, PI > 25%, and Na% < 60%, respectively, which are suitable for irrigation. USSL classification implies that groundwater is suitable only for salt-tolerant crops and high permeability soil. IWQI values suggest that groundwater in 12%, 82%, and 6% of wells are low, medium, and highly suitable, respectively, for irrigation. Furthermore, only 42% of samples are recommended for livestock uses due to high F^- (> 2). GWSZ maps, DWQI, and IWQI imply that groundwater in the upstream region is suitable whereas groundwater in the downstream is not recommended for any uses. Hence, this study recommended proper groundwater augmentation methods to reduce the salinity and improve the water quality in the shallow aquifer in the arid environment. The GWSZ, DWQI, and IWQI maps will aid to identify the suitable zones for groundwater development and sustainable management.

Spatial distribution of quality of groundwater and probabilistic non-carcinogenic risk from a rural dry climatic region of South India

Having safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, which affects directly the human health. In view of this, an effort has been made for understanding the spatial distribution of quality of groundwater in a rural dry climatic region of Andhra Pradesh, South India, and associated health risks with respect to pollutants of NO₃^- and F^-, which cause the potential production of non-carcinogenic risk, using entropy-weighted water quality index (EWWQI) and total chronic hazard index (TCHI), where the population rely on the groundwater resource for drinking purpose. Groundwater quality observed from the present study region has an alkaline character with brackish type. The concentrations of K⁺, HCO₃^-, TDS, Na⁺, NO₃^-, F^-, Mg²⁺ and Cl^- come under the non-permissible limits in 100%, 100%, 96.67%, 90%, 73.33%, 46.67%, 13.33% and 6.67% of the groundwater samples, which deteriorate the groundwater quality, causing the health disorders. The overall groundwater quality computed, using EWWQI, ranges from 53.64 to 216.59 (122.22), which classifies the region spatially into 55%, 10% and 35% due to influences of the geogenic and anthropogenic pollutants, which are the respective medium, poor and very poor groundwater quality types prescribed for potable water. According to the TCHI evaluated with respect to pollutants of NO₃^- and F^-, the values of TCHI for men (1.194 to 4030), women (1.411 to 4.763) and children (1.614 to 5.449) are more than its acceptable limit of one. So, the health risk of non-carcinogenic is spatially in the decreasing order of children > women > men, depending upon their sensitiveness to pollutants and also their body weights. Further, the spatial distributions of both TCH1 and EWWQI are more or less similar, following the pollution activities, which help for establishment of the fact to recognize the intensity of various vulnerable zones. Therefore, the present study suggests the suitable environmental safety measures to control the NO₃^-- and F^--contaminated drinking water and subsequently to increase the health conditions.

Comparative valuation of groundwater quality parameters in Bhojpur, Bihar for arsenic risk assessment

Arsenic endosmosis causes a severe threat to human health within the developing countries. This study assessed the levels of geogenic arsenic and other heavy metals affecting the release of As in the aquifers within the drinking water sources in Bhojpur district of Bihar, India. Eighteen water samples were collected in triplicates from hand-dug wells in six neighboring villages in proximity to the River Ganga namely Bakhorapur, Gaziapur, Parasrampur (or Kanhachhapara), Saraiya, Paiga and Gundiinin. The physicochemical parameters, ionic content and heavy metal analysis of the collected water samples indicated the region to be highly contaminated with arsenic, zinc, manganese and iron. The arsenic and iron concentration ranged between 24.3 and 168.07 μg/L and 0.17-1.16 mg/L respectively, indicating the excessive withdrawal of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes with a significant correlation between both the metals. Elevated concentration of zinc in the region attributed to the excessive application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Concentration of manganese was also in the higher range of 0.05-1.15 mg/L, primarily due to the urbanized industrial activities. Human health risk assessment within two population groups in the region indicated that the overall water quality is slightly contaminated but the risk associated with it is low. Water Quality Index ranged from 29 to 48, signifying the water quality to be poor. Residual sodium carbonate values indicated that few water sample sources are not suitable for irrigation purposes whereas, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values were within the acceptable limits to be used for irrigation.

Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking purpose with special emphasis on salinity and nitrate contamination in the shallow aquifer of Guenniche (Northern Tunisia)

Monitoring the groundwater quality situation and identifying the various pollution loads' sources are a prerequisites to finding solutions. In many areas, nitrate and salinity are one of the prime pollutants in the groundwater. This investigation is carried to present the results of a monitoring study focusing on 20 wells samples collected from the shallow groundwater of Guenniche plain (North Tunisia) during the wet season of May 2016, to present its suitability for drinking purposes with emphasis on the assessment of the presence of nitrate and salinity elements. Nitrate levels' results show that 55% of the samples exceeded the National Tunisian standard limit (NT) and the World Health Organization standard limit (WHO). The salinity results, measured as total dissolved solids (TDS), show that 95% of the samples exceed the international standard, and 25% exceed the national standard. A total of 20% of the wells exceeded the nitrite standards. The total hardness levels indicate that 90% of the samples present very hard water. The Guenniche shallow groundwater average concentrations are categorized as follows: Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ for the cations and Cl^- > SO₄^2- > HCO₃^- > NO₃^- for the anions. Nitrate and salinity variations during the period 2006-2015 follow the rainfall fluctuation patterns. The assessment of water quality using Water Quality Index revealed that 95% of the wells' water classes ranged between "poor", "very poor," and "unsuitable for drinking purposes". Therefore, these wells are affected by anthropogenic and/or natural factors and they are inadvisable for drinking purposes, unless the water from these wells undergoes appropriate treatment before use.

Hydrogeochemical baseline in a human-altered landscape of the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Groundwater pollution in tropical and human-altered coastal landscapes is receiving novel attention due to decreasing in annual recharge as a consequence of recurrent droughts and overexploitation, whereby saline intrusion, point and diffuse source contamination, and water conflicts are common denominators. This study presents a detailed groundwater evaluation in a coastal aquifer within the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Three sampling campaigns including major ions, heavy metals, and fecal coliform analyses were conducted between July 2013 and March 2014 across 17 wells within the alluvial and fissured units of the Jacó aquifer. The groundwater system is classified as mixed HCO₃^--Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ type. Coliforms presence was found in two wells, nearby Mona Creek headwaters and near the coastal line. Heavy metal concentrations were below quantification limits in most of the wells; however, chromium concentrations up to 6.56 μg/L were quantified within the coastal line and central portion of the alluvial aquifer in 20 out of the 48 samples. The spatial distribution of major ions (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, and HCO₃^-) exhibited an increasing trend towards the central portion of the alluvial aquifer, which may be potentially associated with the large unregulated urban expansion, invoking a need of a continuous water quality monitoring program in this touristic hot spot. This study provides useful information for other similar coastal aquifers in Central America, whereby increasing population growth and unregulated touristic, industrial, and agricultural activities are posing a truly challenge to ensure water security and sustainability parallel to the economic development in a changing climate.

Assessment of hydrogeochemical characteristics and quality of groundwater resources in relation to risk of gastric cancer: comparative analysis of high- and low-risk areas in Iran

The chemical quality of groundwater supplies in two high-risk area (HRA) and low-risk area (LRA) for gastric cancer in Iran was assessed through hydrogeochemical analysis and water quality indices. For this aim, Piper and Schoeller diagrams and water quality index (WQI) were applied. In addition, exposure to nitrate via drinking water and its corresponding risk were also assessed using Monte Carlo simulation technique. Data on physicochemical properties of groundwater resources were obtained from Iran Water Resources Management Company. Sampling and analysis of tap water for nitrate concentration were conducted in two cities of Shiraz (as a representative of LRA) and Ardabil (as a representative of HRA). According to Piper diagrams, the dominant hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater supplies in HRA and LRA were Na-HCO₃ (43.75%) and Ca-HCO₃ (41.77%), respectively. The predominant cations in groundwater resources of HRA were found to be Na⁺ (68.06%) and Ca²⁺ (31.94%). For LRA, the typical cations were in decreasing trend: Ca²⁺ (39.64%) > Mg²⁺ (18.35%) > Na⁺ (17.26%). For two areas, HCO₃^-, SO₄^2- and Cl^- were, respectively, the most frequent anions. Two-sample Wilcoxon test showed that there were statistically significant difference between two areas in terms of anions and cations concentrations (p value < 0.05). The mean of total hardness (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) concentration of water supplies in LRA (528.1 mg/L) was higher than HRA (263.1 mg/L), whereas the mean of Na⁺ concentration was found to be lower in LRA (90.6 mg/L) compared with HRA (108.1 mg/L). The sum of nitrate intake and its risk in LRA was higher than HRA. WQI results showed that drinking water quality in HRA and LRA ranged from excellent to poor and most water resources were of a good quality class. Further studies are suggested to investigate the role of drinking water in the etiology of gastric cancer in Iran.

Hydrogeochemical processes and suitability assessment of groundwater in the Jiaodong Peninsula, China

Groundwater is the primary source of water for domestic use and agricultural irrigation in Jiaodong Peninsula. This study collected 80 groundwater samples from Jiaodong Peninsula to characterize groundwater hydrogeochemical processes and the suitability of groundwater for domestic use and agricultural irrigation. The groundwater of Jiaodong Peninsula was categorized as slightly alkaline freshwater, with a Piper diagram classifying most samples as SO4·Cl-Ca·Mg and HCO₃-Ca·Mg types. Major ions were Ca²⁺, Na⁺, SO₄^2-, and HCO₃^-. The major processes driving the hydrochemistry of groundwater were identified as water-rock interactions as well as evaporation. The dissolution of silicate and cation exchange were the predominant hydrogeochemical processes responsible for groundwater chemistry. Four water samples showed seawater intrusion and some indicated pollution from anthropogenic activities such as industry, agriculture, and domestic sewage discharge. Overall, it was found that groundwater in most areas of Jiaodong Peninsula is suitable for domestic use and agricultural irrigation.

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of a multi-layered coastal aquifer system in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Groundwater is a primary freshwater source for various domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes, especially in coastal regions where there are lacking surface water supply. However, groundwater quality in coastal regions is often threatened by seawater intrusion and contamination due to both anthropogenic activities and natural processes. Therefore, insights into groundwater geochemistry and occurrences are necessary for sustainable groundwater management in coastal regions. The main aim of this study is to investigate the hydrogeochemical characteristics and their influencing factors in a coastal area of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam (MD). A total of 286 groundwater samples were taken from shallow and deep aquifers for analyzing major ions and stable isotopes. The results show that deep groundwater is dominated by Ca-HCO[Formula: see text], Ca-Na-HCO[Formula: see text], Ca-Mg-Cl, and Na-HCO[Formula: see text] while shallow groundwater is dominated by the Na-Cl water type. In this region, the main geochemical processes controlling groundwater chemistry are ion exchanges, mineralization and evaporation. Groundwater salinization in coastal aquifers of the Mekong Delta is caused by (1) paleo-seawater intrusion and evaporation occurring in the Holocene and Pleistocene aquifers, (2) dissolution of salt sediment/rock and leakage of saline from upper to lower aquifers due to excessive groundwater exploitation and hydraulic connection. High nitrate concentrations in both shallow and deep aquifers are related to human activities. These results imply that groundwater extraction may exacerbate groundwater quality-related problems and suitable solutions for sustainable groundwater management in the coastal area of the Mekong Delta are needed.

Quality criteria for groundwater use from a rural part of Wanaparthy District, Telangana State, India, through ionic spatial distribution (ISD), entropy water quality index (EWQI) and principal component analysis (PCA)

The present study region comprises granite and granite gneisses aquifer system constituted by Precambrian rocks. Groundwater is the primary source for drinking and other domestic purposes. Many developing regions in the world suffer from lack of safe drinking water. A rural part of Wanaparthy District in Telangana State, India, is one of them. For this reason, the groundwater samples collected from the study region were analyzed for pH, TDS, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, NO₃^- and F^- and evaluated groundwater quality criteria, using ionic spatial distribution (ISD), entropy water quality index (EWQI) and principal component analysis (PCA). The ISD maps show that some locations are not suitable for drinking purpose due to exceeding concentrations of TDS, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, NO₃^-and F^-, compared to those with national drinking water quality standards. According to the EWQI, about 3%, 47%, 43% and 7% of the total area come under the excellent, good, medium and extremely poor water quality types for drinking purpose, respectively. Chadha's diagram classified the area as carbonate hardness (63%), non-carbonate alkali (17%), carbonates alkali (13%) and non-carbonate hardness (7%) zones. The binary diagrams (Na⁺ + K⁺ vs TC, Na⁺ vs Ca²⁺ and HCO₃^- vs TC) indicate that the quality of groundwater is controlled by influences of water-rock interactions, mineral weathering and dissolution, ion exchange and evaporation as well as the impact of anthropogenic sources. The PCA transferred the chemical variables into three principal components accounts for about 81% of the total variance. The high positive loadings of PC1 (Cl^-, TDS, SO₄^2-, Na⁺, NO₃^-, Mg²⁺ and HCO₃^-) stand for processes of silicate weathering and dissolution, ion exchange and evaporation, and the influence of domestic waste waters, irrigation return flows and chemical fertilizers on the groundwater system, the PC2 (F^- and pH) signifies the alkaline nature of groundwater, which causes fluorosis, and the PC3 (K⁺) is a result of potassium fertilizers. The study helps to take remediate measures at a specific site and hence suggests the treatment of water before its drinking and also the recharge of the aquifer artificially to improve the groundwater quality.

Groundwater quality evaluation using water quality index (WQI) for drinking purposes and human health risk (HHR) assessment in an agricultural region of Nanganur, south India

An effort has been made to understand the groundwater quality of Nanganur region for drinking purpose utilizing water quality index (WQI). Nitrate contamination in groundwater was assessed and the associated health risks to rural populations were estimated for different age groups, infants, children and adults in the agricultural region of Nanganur, South India, where residents rely on only groundwater for drinking use. Groundwater was slightly alkaline and moderately hard. The concentration of nitrate in the groundwater ranged from 25 to 198 mg/L, with a mean of 66.14 mg/L, and 61% of groundwater samples exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 50 mg/L. The WQI values ranged from 92 to 295, with an average of 153, and about 86% of groundwater samples were poor quality for drinking uses. Results showed that the non-carcinogenic health risk for adults ranged from 6.0E-01 to 4.8E+00, for children 8.1E-01 to 6.4E+00, and for infants 9.4E-01 to 7.4E+00, respectively. Health risk caused by excessive intake of nitrate contaminated groundwater for children and infants were 1.15 and 1.75 times larger than that for adults, which suggested that health risk degree of infants have greater health risk than children and adults in the study region. The order of nitrate contribution to non-carcinogenic health risk among the studied age groups was infants > children > adults. Therefore, health risk reduction measures should be implemented to reduce exposure to nitrate contaminated drinking water in the study region.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and the Suitability of Groundwater in the Alluvial-Diluvial Plain of Southwest Shandong Province, China

The alluvial-diluvial plain of southwest Shandong Province is an important agricultural economic zone and energy base in Shandong Province. Groundwater plays an extremely significant role in the development of the regional social economy. In this study, 50 sets of water samples, collected from 25 wells during October 2016 and June 2017, were utilized to determine the hydrogeochemistry and the suitability of groundwater in the alluvial-diluvial plain of southwest Shandong Province for different applications, such as drinking and irrigation. Most of the water samples could be classified as hard-fresh water or hard-brackish water, and the dominant water types were HCO3-Na and mixed types. Water-rock interactions and evaporation were the dominant controlling factors in the formation of the hydrochemical components in the groundwater. Dissolutions of silicate, calcite, dolomite, and gypsum are the major reactions contributing and defining the groundwater chemistry in this plain. Moreover, cation exchange is a non-negligible hydrogeochemical process in this plain. Calculated saturation index (SI) values indicate that aragonite, calcite and dolomite are saturated, while the SI values for gypsum and halite are unsaturated. Based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, the groundwater quality ranges from excellent to very poor. More than 50% of all groundwater samples from 2016 are categorized as poor or very poor, suggesting that the water from these wells is not suitable for drinking. According to the sodium adsorption ratio and percentage sodium, most of the samples are suitable for agricultural irrigation. Overall, the quality of the groundwater in 2017 was found to be better than in 2016.

Evaluation of multiple water quality indices for drinking and irrigation purposes for the Karoon river, Iran

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the water quality of the Karoon river, which is a main river in Iran country. For this purpose, hydrochemical analyses of a database that maintained by the Water Resources Authority of Khuzestan Province, Iran's Ministry of Energy, were carried out. These data were compared with the maximum permissible limit values recommended by World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization water standards for drinking and agricultural purposes, respectively. Also in this regard, multiple indices of water quality were utilized. However, not all indices gave similar rankings for water quality. According to the USSL diagram and Kelly ratio, Karoon's water quality is not suitable for irrigation purposes due to high salinity and moderate alkalinity. However, the results of the magnesium hazard analysis suggested that water quality for irrigation is acceptable. A Piper diagram illustrated that the most dominant water types during the 15 years of the study were Na-Cl and Na-SO₄. The mineral saturation index also indicated that Na-Cl is the dominant water type. The water quality for drinking purpose was evaluated using a Schoeller diagram and water quality index (WQI). According to the computed WQI ranging from 111.9 to 194.0, the Karoon's water in the Khuzestan plain can be categorized as "poor water" for drinking purposes. Based on hydrochemical characteristics, years 2000-2007 and 2008-2014 were categorized into two clusters illustrating a decline in water quality between the two time periods.