Vulnerability analysis of the groundwater quality around Vellalore-Kurichi landfill region in Coimbatore

Abstract

Groundwater resources are explored and exploited to their maximum for the use in households, industries and other domestic activities. It becomes sensible to recognize its importance in quantity view point and take necessary measures to maintain its purity. The present study assesses the vulnerability of the groundwater resources to pollution due to the plume movement from the nearby landfill region of Vellalore-Kurichi village in Coimbatore. This gives better understanding of the groundwater pollution with the spatial maps outlined from the Arc GIS software. The physico-chemical parameters like pH, EC, resistivity, alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, turbidity, salinity, DO, BOD, COD, chlorides, sulphates, nitrates were analysed and the WQI values were derived from the above parameters to quantify the pollution potential in this area. The groundwater from Konavaikalpalayam, Aathumedu, Mettu-thottum and Rukmaniammal road are the most affected by contamination. The plume movement is suspected towards the North and North-western side of the landfill region. This may be due to the presence of slope towards the North-western side of the landfill. The most of the samples come under the category of poor water and so the water is unfit for even domestic purposes. The results stresses the need for the local bodies to take necessary action to prevent contamination of the groundwater in this region by following a holistic approach to prevent further contamination.

Keywords

• Groundwater
• Water quality index
• Contamination
• Plume movement
• GIS
• Spatial maps