Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

Rashid Umar ¹, Izrar Ahmed ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh - 202 002, IN

Abstract

The Krishni-Yamuna is a watershed in the most productive central Ganga plain. Systematic sampling was carried out in Krishni-Yamuna Basin in parts of Muzaffarnagar district, with a view to understand the sources of dissolved ions and to assess the quality of groundwater. Forty samples were collected from handpumps, covering an area of 434 square km. The quality of groundwater is suitable for irrigation purposes. As far as human consumption is concerned, the quality has a negative aspect in being SO₄^-enriched. Na+K and Cl+SO₄ are dominating facies in cations and anions respectively. Based on chemical characteristics, the groundwaters have been divided into four groups. Group I and group II samples have acquired their chemistry through sediment-Water interaction and dissolution mechanism. Group III and IV samples depict an increasing influence of anthropogenic factors.

Keywords

Krishni-Yamuna Basin, Hydrochemical Species, Groundwater Chemistry, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

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Asad Umar ¹, Rashid Umar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh - 202002, IN

Abstract

The hydrochemical studies in parts of Central Ganga basin, Etah district of Uttar Pradesh have revealed the presence of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Fe, Ni and Cr in the groundwater of shallow aquifer zones. Heavy metal concentrations in the deep aquifer zones are within the recommended limits of Indian Standard (IS) specified for the domestic use. The study shows that the groundwater from the deeper aquifers is suitable for domestic usage.

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Rashid Umar ¹, Asad Umar ¹, Shadaab Khurshid ¹, Iqbal Ahmad ²

Affiliations
1 Hydrogeology Section, Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, IN
2 Department of Microbiology, RAK Institute of Agricultural Sciences, A.M.U., Aligarh, IN

Abstract

Aligarh city is a part of the central Ganga Plain. The Quaternary alluvium in the area has been deposited on a faulted and eroded surface of upper Vindhyan shale which comprises sand, silt and clay with occasional calcrete beds. There are three levels of aquifer in the alluvium of the area. The top aquifer lies at a depth of 9-66 m and is highly vulnerable to microbial and chemical pollution. The present paper evaluates the microbial contamination of groundwater, which was analysed using water samples from shallow (hand pumps) and deep aquifers (tube wells) at different sites during the summer season. Samples were examined for total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial load by the plate count method and the multiple tube dilution method for determining the most probable number (MPN) index of total coliform and faecal coliform bacteria. Microbiological analysis showed that microbial (heterotrophic bacterial) contamination in groundwater was maximum in wells with hand pumps (private) and least in tubewell water. Total coliform and faecal coliform contamination are also found comparatively more in wells with hand pumps than tubewells. It indicated that those who drink groundwater from hand pump (India Mark) may be at increased risk of infection and disease from pathogenic bacteria. The level of contamination is expected to increase in the rainy season. Immediate attention is hence needed to monitor all public drinking water systems for total coliform and faecal coliform contaminations and to assess the pathogenic potential of microbial contaminants.

Keywords

Microbial Contamination, Groundwater, Faecal Pathogens, Health, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

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Rashid Umar ¹, Izrar Ahmed ¹, Fakhre Alam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh - 202 002, IN

Abstract

A detailed hydrogeological and hydrochemical study was carried out in Yamuna-Krishni sub-basin which is a part of the vast central Ganga plain. Groundwater is the major source of water supply for agricultural, domestic and industrial uses. The excess use of groundwater has resulted in depletion of water levels. The groundwater quality, too, has deteriorated in areas dominated by industrial activity. This has led to the preparation of a groundwater vulnerability map in relation to contamination. Groundwater vulnerability maps are valuable derivative maps that show, quantitatively or qualitatively, certain characteristics of the sub-surface environment that determine vulnerability of groundwater to contamination. The modified DRASTIC method was used to prepare vulnerability map. The parameters like depth to water, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, impact of vadose zone, hydraulic conductivity and land use pattern, owing to its bearing on groundwater regime, were considered to prepare vulnerability map. The vulnerability index is computed as the sum of the products of weight and rating assigned to each of the input considered as above. The vulnerability index ranges from 140 to 180, and is classified into four classes i.e. 140-150, 150-160, 160-170 and 170-180 corresponding to low, medium, high and very high vulnerability zones respectively. Using this index, a groundwater vulnerability potential map was generated which shows that 7%, 40% and 53% of the study area falls in low, medium and high to very high vulnerability zones respectively. The map, thus generated, can be used as a tool for protection and management of aquifers from contamination.

Keywords

Central Ganga Plain, Yamuna-Krishni Sub-Basin, Groundwater Vulnerability, Pollution Potential, DRASIC-LU.

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