Interplay of natural and anthropogenic inputs on the groundwater contamination of Beenaganj-Chachura block

Abstract

The present research work investigates the impact of natural and anthropogenic inputs on the chemistry and quality of the groundwater in the Beenaganj-Chachura block of Madhya Pradesh, India. A total of 50 groundwater samples were examined for nitrates, fluoride, chlorides, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, pH, total hardness, and conductivity, and their impact on entropy-weighted water quality index and pollution index of groundwater (PIG) was investigated via the response surface methodology (RSM) using the central composite design. According to analytical findings, Ca, Mg, Cl−, SO42−, and NO3− exceed the desired limit and permitted limit set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). According to PIG findings, 76, 16, and 8% of groundwater samples, respectively, fell into the insignificant, low, and moderate pollution categories. The regression coefficients of the quadratic RSM models for the experimental data provided excellent results. Thus, RSM provides an excellent means to obtain the optimized values of input parameters to minimize the PIG values. HIGHLIGHTS Entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) and pollution index of groundwater (PIG) of Beenaganj-Chachura India were studied for the first time.; Ca, Mg, Cl−, SO42−, and NO3− exceed the desired limit and permitted limit set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and World Health Organization (WHO).; Distribution maps of EWQI and PIG are obtained for the area.; The quadratic response surface methodology model was found appropriate for the prediction of the groundwater pollution index of this region.; There were major implications for water resource management of the area.;

Keywords

• entropy weighted water quality index
• groundwater quality
• india
• pollution index of groundwater
• response surface methodology