Nitrate and Chromium Contamination in Groundwater from Effluent of Tanneries and Drastic Vulnerability Index Map – A Case Study of Ranipet area, Vellore District, Tamilnadu

Objectives: To determine the chromium and nitrate pollutants in groundwater and combined with DRASTIC Maps. Methods/ Statistical analysis: Thirty five groundwater samples taken from bore and open wells are collected and analyzed by physicchemical parameter and heavy metals. This groundwater quality data are interconnected with DRASTIC features. Findings: From the water quality data, found two major pollutants namely chromium and nitrate due to the presence of tannery industries in the study area causing human health, animals, plants and skin diseases. Using seven features, we assigned three categories such as ranges, ratings and weight to find out DRASTIC index maps ranging from 58 to 699 being very low to very high. These maps are combined with the pollutant values to find out the spatial distribution. Application/Improvements: Fully control the groundwater pollution present in the study area that can be adopted for any suitable remedial measures.