Assessment of hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in parts of Hindon–Yamuna interfluve region, Baghpat District, Western Uttar Pradesh

The present study has been carried out to assess groundwater quality in parts of Hindon–Yamuna interfluve region of western Uttar Pradesh. Fifty-five groundwater samples were collected from hand pumps in post-monsoon 2005 and pre-monsoon 2006 period, respectively, covering an area of about 1,345 km2. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater such as electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solid, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO3, Cl, and SO4 were determined. Concentration of the chemical constituents in groundwater of the study area varies spatially and temporarily. Interpretation of analytical data of major ion chemistry helps to identify three chemical types of groundwater i.e. ‘mixed’, ‘mixed bicarbonate’ and ‘alkali bicarbonate’ types. The species likely to occur in groundwater of the study area are Ca-HCO3, Mg-HCO3, Ca-SO4, Na-Cl, Na-SO4, Na-HCO3, K-Cl, and some other possible species of K, depending on its abundance. The groundwater of the study area comes under the category of moderately hard to very hard, mildly acidic to slightly alkaline in nature. There is anomalously high concentration of major ions, particularly, Na, K, SO4, and Cl. High SO4 and K values may be related to anthropogenic influences, rather than through some natural process. Sodium along with Cl may be added to the system through sewage pollution and leachate percolation.