A hydrogeochemical approach to evaluate groundwater quality in the vicinity of three tributaries of the Beas River, North-West India

Abstract

Abstract The present study focused on the seasonal investigation of hydro-geochemical characteristics of groundwater samples collected from the vicinity of three tributaries of the Beas River, Punjab, India. Total 45 samples were analyzed during the pre- and post-monsoon season for physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals along with health risk assessment. Results revealed that the majority of samples were below the permissible limits set by the BIS and WHO. The relative abundance of major cations was Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > K+ and Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+, while that of the major anions was HCO3 − > SO4 2− > Cl− > CO3 2− in the pre- and post-monsoon season, respectively. Groundwater was alkaline and hard in nature at most of the sites. Bicarbonate content exceeded the desirable limit having an average concentration of 337.26 mg/L and 391.48 mg/L, respectively, during the pre- and post-monsoon season. Tukey’s multiple comparison test was applied for finding significant differences among samples at p < 0.05. The dominant hydrochemical face of water was Ca–Mg–HCO3 type. US salinity (USSL) diagram indicated that during the pre-monsoon, 48.9% samples were C2S1 type and remaining 51.1% were C3S1 type while during the post-monsoon all samples were C3S1 type. It indicates that groundwater of the study area is at risk of salinity hazards in future and is not to be ignored. Such monitoring studies are recommended to design future safety plans to combat soil and human health risks.

Keywords

• Hydro-geochemical
• Groundwater
• Cations
• Bicarbonate
• Heavy metals
• Irrigation