Quality of groundwater in selected areas of Sandur taluk in Karnataka state, India

Abstract

Hydrogeochemlcal investigations were carried out in Sandur taluk, a major mining taluk of Bellary district in Karnataka. Water samples of 43 bore wells at various locations were collected and analysed for its suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes. Most of the physico-chemical parameters were within the permissible limits of WHO and ISI standards for drinking water. However, some samples show very high NO3, Cl and F content than the desirable limit. The data was also subjected to various hydrochemical interpretations. According to USSL classification, the groundwater of the study area falls under mostly three types as C2 S1, C2 S2 and C3 S1. In eight locations it was found to be of C 3 S2 type with moderately high salinity. The value of SAR was in the range of excellent to good type. Based on the Piper trilinear diagram, the study area was characterized by water having temporary hardness. Fluoride was most dominant ion responsible for the contamination of the groundwater. Ten samples of the study area were prone to excess fluoride and not suitable for drinking. Water samples were also subjected to microbiological analysis. Few samples were found to be highly contaminated with conforms while most of the samples were suitable for human consumption.