Journal of Environmental Hydrology

ISSN 1058-3912

Electronic journal of the International Association for Environmental Hydrology


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JEH Volume 7 (1999), Paper 3, February 1999                    Posted February 28, 1999
HYDROCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN PARTS OF SOUTH COASTAL ORISSA, INDIA

J. K. Tripathy and R.C. Panigrahy
Department of Marine Sciences, Berhampur University, Berhampur, India
ABSTRACT
Detailed hydrochemical analysis was carried out on a number of water samples collected from the coastal tract of south Orissa between the Rushikulya and Bahuda river estuaries to assess the quality of groundwater in this region. Results indicate that the groundwater of this region is highly enriched in Ca, Mg, Na, Cl and HCO3. At some locations the concentration of these ions, as well as other parameters such as salinity, total hardness and total dissolved solids are above the World Health Organization standards for drinking water. The concentration of Na, Mg and HCO3 at some locations near the coast suggests sea water encroachment, which is further substantiated by a general increase in the value of Cl content and Na/Cl ratio, and a decrease in HCO3 content towards the coast. On the basis of hydrochemical studies, five groundwater types have been delineated. They are Ca(HCO)2 , Mg(HCO)2 , NaHCO3 , CaC12 and NaCl. Some intermediate groundwater sub-types are also recognized in the transitional zones, thus indicating that the major groundwater types are not spatially isolated.
Reference: Tripathy J. K. and R.C. Panigrahy; Hydrochemical Assessment of Groundwater in Parts of South Coastal Orissa, India, Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 7, Paper 3, February 1999.

CONTACT:

Dr. J. K. Tripathy
Department of Marine Science
Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar
Berhampur 760007
India


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