Geochemical assessment of groundwater around Macherla-Karempudi area, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh

Groundwater in Palnad sub-basin is alkaline in nature and Na+-Cl−-HCO3− type around Macherla-Karempudi area in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Total dissolved solids (TDS) show strong positive correlation with Cl−, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, and positive correlation with SO42−, K+ and HCO3−. Calcareous Narji Formation is the dominant aquifer lithology, and water-rock interaction controls the groundwater chemistry of the area. Chloro-alkaline indices (CAI) are positive at Miriyala, Adigopula, Mutukuru, Macherla and Durgi suggesting replacement of Na+ and K+ ions from water by Mg++ and Ca++ ions from country rock through base exchange reactions. Negative CAI values are recorded at Terala, Rayavaram and Nehrunagar, which indicate exchange of Na+ and K+ from the rock as cation-anion exchange reaction (chloro-alkaline disequilibrium).