Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

G. S. Vidhya ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Karivattom Campus, Trivandrum, IN

Abstract

Geospatial technology was utilized in this study to specifically delineate groundwater potential zones. IRS-LISS III data in conjunction with Survey of India toposheet (1:50,000) and extensive field data were used for the preparation of various thematic maps. Various thematic maps have been prepared for geology, geomorphology, slope, relative relief, land use, drainage density, lineament density, transmissivity, storativity and water table fluctuation. Thematic maps have been integrated in GIS by assigning suitable rank and weightage to each parameter based on their respective significance. Integrated groundwater potential map is a genuine tool decidedly resourceful for sustainable groundwater development and management. The charisma of this innovative method is that, this model can be used in any other area to functionally demarcate groundwater potential zones, and hence will be of immense societal significance.

Keywords

Groundwater Potential Zones, Geospatial Technology, Remote Sensing, GIS Tool WPR Rating.

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R. S. Prasanth ¹, J. Remya ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Karivattom campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IN

Abstract

The current groundwater state of Kovalam and Vizhinjam area was swot up in detail. The importance of these two places fetches much emphasis for the present study. Vizhinjam is the place where an international port is intended to come up and the pilot activities have already been set off. The Kovalam is the second spot which is an international tourism destination where owing to the invasion of hefty scale buoyant population, both the quality and quantity of groundwater, is being pretentious. While analysing the water quality, problems identified include the acidic water content, incident due to the low pH in the open wells and the microbiological contamination at multiple locations posturing peril to the locale. Imperative parameters, which have commanding influence were projected into a geospatial platform and primed various thematic maps. By integrating the thematic maps by assigning weighted parameter rating (WPR), a groundwater quality zonation map was also prepared. This map is ready to lend a hand to locate zones where good quality water is accessible. Apart from the anthropogenic blemish, the doable sources of geogenic contamination were also considered.

Keywords

Water Quality, Pollution Microbiology, Quality Zonation, Groundwater.

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Dhanya Raj ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Groundwater quality determination is obligatory for assessing its appropriateness for drinking and other domestic purposes. The chemical and biological characteristics of groundwater in and around the Trivandrum civil station were studied during the pre-monsoon season of 2012 to evaluate its aptness. Forty shallow groundwater samples were collected and analysed for required parameters as per the standard procedure. The values acquired were appraised in detail and weighed against BIS standards. Results divulge that the pH values obtained were dreadfully low and fluctuate between 4.6 and 6.9 with a mean value of 5.8, indicating a clear acidic trend. Possible reasons for this atypical phenomenon include spacious incidence of lateritic aquifer, open waste dumping near the open wells, disproportionate use of fertilizers in rubber cultivation and acid washing of rubber sheets in the neighbouring areas. In addition to that the microbial contamination of groundwater was also assessed. The results show that nearly every one of the water samples is contaminated with the influx of total coliform bacteria and faecal coliform bacteria. One of the ailing effects of urbanisation is water pollution due to the invasion of bacteria into the precious groundwater resource, predominantly cramped into shallow open wells. It is decidedly obligatory to put into custom that various apposite schemes to deal with this problem so as to hoard the people from any doable menace owing to the contamination of water.

Keywords

Groundwater Quality, GIS Based Approach, Trivandrum Civil Station.

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Anet Panakkal ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Present study endeavours to estimate the domain of trace metal contamination in the sediments of water channels of Thrissur city. The major trace elements present in the study area were reviewed and in addition the organic carbon content in the sediments confined to the urban channels was also determined. Thrissur is a newly constituted corporation and is momentarily undergoing nimble urbanization which sequentially place aggravated trace metal pollution. This is habitually caused by land run off, dredging and other linked anthropogenic activities. The discharge of such urban effluents into the natural channels might have contributed to add up accumulation of metals. Correlation with the standard geochemical background values, it is palpable that the average total concentration of lead and zinc are fairly high. Cadmium concentration was found to be inflated in some locations. The contamination factor determined for Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd signify that, these may induce contamination in the sediments. From the correlation studies it is accomplished that, there exists a positive relationship among cadmium, nickel and zinc and that speak to a common source.

Keywords

Sediment, Urban Channels, Trace Elements, Contamination Factor, Enrichment Factor.

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G. S. Vidhya ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum, Kerala, IN

Abstract

The geochemical characteristics of groundwater in the lateritic terrain of Vettikavala block, South Kerala was evaluated during the pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons to assess its appropriateness for domestic and irrigational purposes. One hundred and one water samples from shallow open wells were collected and analysed for pH, EC, TDS and all major cations and anions. The results point out that certain areas with acidic pH are unsuitable for drinking and other domestic purposes. Piper diagram reveals that most of the samples were HCO₃ dominated, since dissolution plays an important role and also no major shifting was noticed during both the seasons suggesting a static regime. Irrigational suitability assessed by percent sodium reveals that 10% of the waters in the area are unsuitable.

Keywords

Groundwater Quality, Lateritic Terrain, Water Types, %Na, SAR and RSC.

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Veena M. Nair ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Groundwater quality determination is essential for assessing its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes. In the present study 104 open well water samples were collected during both pre and postmonsoon seasons to evaluate the groundwater quality of Vamanapuram river basin. Samples were analysed for different physico-chemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, salinity, Na⁺, K⁺, TH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3- and HCO₃^{- following standard procedures. The acquired values were compared with BIS standards to recognize their aptness for domestic use. From the Piper plot dominant hydrochemical facies identified is Na-Cl for both seasons. Alkalies (Na and K) exceed alkaline earths (Ca and Mg) and strong acids (Cl and SO₄) exceed weak acid (HCO₃) in both seasons. To determine the suitability of water for agricultural use, chemical indices like sodium adsorption ratio, percent sodium, residual sodium carbonate and permeability index were calculated. RSC and PI have revealed that all samples are safe for irrigation. As per Wilcox's diagram and USSL classification, majority of samples are suitable for irrigation except those from the coastal area of Anchuthengu which is unsuitable for drinking as well as irrigation purpose.}

Keywords

Groundwater Quality, Hydrochemical Facies, Piper Plot, Vamanapuram River Basin.

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R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹, Anet Panakkal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum, IN

Abstract

This study is intended to assess the likely contamination of groundwater in the shallow aquifer, owing to the gratuitous invasion of microorganisms in Thrissur Corporation. One of the ailing effects of urbanization is water pollution due to the incursion of faecal coliforms into groundwater resources, predominantly cramped to open wells. The outcome denotes that the water is habitually contaminated and the degree of contagion is elevated in the vicinity of temporary shelters of migrant workers. Predictable rationale for this is the admixture of human excreta and animal waste with the groundwater. Thus, insistent steps are recommended to the Corporation officials to deal with this distress at once to guarantee provision for hygienic drinking water.

Keywords

Groundwater Pollution, Bacteriological Study, Thrissur City.

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A. S. Anseena Beegom ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Aptness of groundwater in the Mamam river basin for drinking and other domestic purposes were assessed in the present work. Eighty six groundwater samples were collected in pre and post monsoon seasons and required physico-chemical attributes were determined. Results revel that most of the parameters except the pH were within the permissible limits recommended by BIS. However, abnormally low pH values were observed in the study area, as evidenced by a mean pH of 5.34 in post and 5.35 in pre monsoon seasons, indicating acidic character. Reasons for this abnormal phenomena include widespread occurrence of subsurface laterite aquifer system, presence of coconut husk retting yards, open waste dumping and extensive rubber cultivation. Consumption of this water is a definite threat to people causing gastrointestinal disorders, hyper acidity, ulcers, stomach pain and burning sensation. Besides this, pH below 6.5 can cause corrosion in pipes resulting in the release of toxic metals.

Keywords

Groundwater, Mamam River Basin, Acidic Water, Low pH, Spatial Variation.

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R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹, Veena M. Nair ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Groundwater quality in coastal region is reaching an alarming stage owed to the overdraft and anthropogenic contamination. Area chosen for study is Anchuthengu, which forms part of a typical coastal belt in the northwestern part of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala State. In order to identify the extent of pollution in the groundwater, open well samples were collected, from the coastal zone fringing the Arabian Sea and also from inland segment flanking Anchuthengu. Sampling and analysis were done in both pre and post-monsoon seasons. pH, EC, TDS, salinity, Na⁺, K⁺, total hardness, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, NO₃ ^2-, SO₄ ^2-, PO₄ ^3- and HCO₃ ^- were determined. The acquired values were compared with BIS standards to recognize its aptness for domestic use. Higher concentration of chemical parameters was observed in coastal areas relative to adjacent inland areas. Post-monsoon coastal samples reveal a higher concentration of NO₃ ^-, SO₄ ^2- and PO₄ ^3- than premonsoon samples, which can be attributed to anthropogenic sources. Microbiological analysis confirms the presence of faecal coliform bacteria in the water samples, making the water unhygienic for drinking and other domestic purposes.

Keywords

Groundwater Pollution, Anchuthengu, Coastal Zone, Faecal Coliform Bacteria.

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Rajesh Reghunath ¹, S. Biju Sekhar ², R. Nithin ², R. B. Binoj Kumar ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Trivandrum-695 581, Kerala, IN
2 Centre for Environment and Development, Trivandrum, Kerala, IN
3 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Trivandrum-695 581, Kerala, IS

Abstract

Attappady region in the Palghat district of Kerala is one of the severely degraded areas in the Kerala Western Ghats. Apart from the severe ecological, socio-economic, political and cultural problems, the region faces an acute water scarcity too. By identifying the severe ecological degradation and the consequent sociological problems, a watershed based massive ecorestoration project has been initiated in Attappady by the State government. The present study carried out in this area deals with the identification of groundwater potential zones. The groundwater potential zones of Attappady area generated from this study identifies five zones- very high, high, moderate, low and very low. The groundwater potential map generated in this study by making use of GIS tools will be useful in narrowing down the target areas for ground resistivity surveys in order to pinpoint the prospective well site. The results of this study can be used in the ongoing ecorestoration project at Attappady.

Keywords

Groundwater Potential Zones, Groundwater Prospective Index, Degraded Regions, Western Ghats, Attappady.

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V. R. Abhisheka ¹, R. B. Binoj Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram-695 581, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Physico-chemical assessment of drinking water quality as well as agricultural utility of Kallada River Basin, Kerala has been done in various stations for post-monsoon (August 2010) and pre-monsoon (April 2011) seasons. The open well samples were collected from the 107 wells around this region and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, major cations and anions. The results were evaluated and compared with BIS water quality standards. Majority of the samples is showing an acidic pH, making only 10% samples of post-monsoon and 17% samples of pre-monsoon suitable for human consumption. Except pH all other parameters are within the permissible limit of BIS. The irrigational parameters like EC, SAR values, %Na and RSC have been worked out to know the suitability of the groundwater for irrigational purpose. The USSL diagram for the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons depicts that the water has low to medium salinity hazard and low sodium hazard. According to the classification of Wilcox (1955) most of the samples for both the seasons are safe for irrigation. The RSC values are predominantly negative, indicating that sodium builtup is unlikely, since sufficient calcium and magnesium is in excess of what can be precipitated as carbonates. The overall quality of the water in the study area is suitable for drinking and irrigation purpose.

Keywords

pH, Groundwater, Irrigational Water Quality, Domestic Water Quality, Kallada River Basin.

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