Comparison of indices for scaling and corrosion tendency of groundwater: Case study of unconfined aquifer from Mahoba District, U.P. State

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to utilize the various indices available to assess the degree of corrosivity and calcite formation of groundwater sampled from Indian Mk. II handpumps from the district of Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh. The indices used include Langelier Saturation Index, Ryznar Stability Index, Puckorius Scaling Index, Larson-Skold Index, and Potential to Promote Galvanic Corrosion. Corrosivity of groundwater would cause materials used in construction of pipes to leach into drinking water since the same is used for household activities and drinking purposes. Calcite formation would affect the amount of exertion used to manually pump out required quantity of groundwater from the aquifer as it reduces the convey potential of pipes. One hundred five groundwater samples were collected from Indian Mk. II handpumps tapping shallow aquifer (up to 35mbgl) from different locations that were used by locals for analysis of basic parameters like pH, TDS, EC, ions like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulphate, etc. Overall, majority of the groundwater samples display tendency to deposit calcium carbonate within the pipes, chlorides and sulphates not interfering with natural film formation in pipes and possibility of galvanic corrosion, whereas minority of the samples indicate the alternate scenario.