Hydrochemical characteristics and GIS-based assessment of groundwater quality in the coastal aquifers of Tuticorin corporation, Tamilnadu, India

Tuticorin corporation stretches geographically from 8°43′-8°51′N latitude and 78°5′-78°10′E longitude, positioned in the East-West International sea routes on the South-East coast of India. The rapid urban developments in the past two decades of Tuticorin have caused depletion of groundwater quantity, and deterioration of quality through excessive consumption and influx of pollutants from natural and anthropogenic activities. The water samples collected in the field were analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, major cations like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and anions SUCH AS bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, nitrate and sulfate, in the laboratory using the standard methods given by the American Public Health Association. In order to assess the groundwater quality, 36 groundwater samples had been collected in year 2011. The geographic information system-based spatial distribution map of different major elements has been prepared using ArcGIS 9. 2. The Piper plot shows that most of the groundwater samples fall in the field of Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl--SO42- and Na+-K+-Cl--HCO3- by projecting the position on the plots in the triangular field. The cation concentration indicate that 83, 39 and 22 % of the K+, Na+, Ca2+ concentrations exceed the WHO limit. As per Wilcox's diagram and US Salinity laboratory classification, most of the groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation due to the presence of high salinity and medium sodium hazard. Irrigation waters classified based on sodium absorption ratio, have revealed that 52 % groundwater are in general safe for irrigation, which needs treatment before use. permeability index also indicates that the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purpose. © 2012 The Author(s).