K. Tirumalesh

Study on the saturation index of the carbonates in the groundwater using WATEQ4F, in layered coastal aquifers of Pondicherry

A study was conducted to bring out the relationship and behavior of different Saturation Index (SI) of carbonate minerals in layered coastal aquifers. Carbonates present in groundwater aids in different nature of the water like hardness, partial pressure of carbon-di-oxide (pCO2), pH and saturation index of different carbonate minerals at various temperatures. The SI of the carbonates helps us to define the thermodynamic stability of water and to find out the geochemical behavior of water. 98 groundwater samples were collected from specific aquifers (alluvium, upper Cuddalore, lower Cuddalore and Cretaceous) during Pre-Monsoon (May 2007) and Post-Monsoon (January 2008) seasons. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, SO4 and PO4 were analyzed. Geochemical model, WATEQ4F was used to calculate the SI of different minerals. The SI was studied in relation to mHCO3 concentration, pCO2 and correlation between SI of different minerals.

Occurrence of the radionuclides in groundwater of crystalline hard rock regions of central Tamil Nadu, India

A study was conducted to understand the occurrence of the radionuclides in groundwater of crystalline hard rock region. Samples were collected to analyze major cations, anions, U, 222Rn and stable isotopes of oxygen, hydrogen. It was inferred that few samples have U and 222Rn concentrations higher than the permissible limit of drinking water standard. High degree of weathering of granitic rocks and long contact time of groundwater with the aquifer matrix could be the reason for enhanced U and 222Rn levels in groundwater. The association of U with SO4 also proves that there exists anthropogenic influence in groundwater composition.

Rare earth elements distribution in clay zones of sedimentary formation, Pondicherry, south India

Concentrations of five rare earth elements (REE) were measured in clay samples of a deep bore hole comprising major aquifers of Pondicherry region, south India in order to investigate the geochemical variations among various litho-units. Clay samples from Cretaceous formation show distinct gray to black color whereas Tertiary deposits have clays with color varying from pale yellow to brown to gray. All measured REEs exhibit lower concentrations than Upper Continental Crust (UCC) average values. Large variations in REEs contents were observed in different sedimentary formations (Tertiary and Cretaceous). Chondrite normalized ratio of La/Lu and Eu/Eu* indicate that the clays are derived from weathering of felsic rock and possibly under humid climate. All the samples showed positive Eu anomaly in North American Shale Composite (NASC) normalized plot which shows plagioclase feldspar as the major contributor to these clays. Positive Eu anomaly is also an indication of reduced condition of the formation.

Spatial and temporal variations of radon concentrations in groundwater of hard rock aquifers in Madurai district, India

Radon (222Rn) and other radionuclides in groundwater can lead to health problems if present in higher concentrations. A study was carried out in Madurai district of Tamilnadu by collecting groundwater samples for four different seasons and aims to identify the regions with higher 222Rn concentration along with their spatial and seasonal variations. 222Rn has been compared with field parameters, log pCO2, major ions and uranium to detect the factors responsible for the higher concentration in groundwater. The weathering process induces the release of higher uranium ions from the granitic terrain from the rock matrix which enhances the 222Rn levels in groundwater.

Application of Statistical Techniques to Identify the Hydrogeochemical Processes in Coastal Aquifers of Pondicherry Region, Tamil Nadu

Groundwater pollution can be illustrated as degrading of water quality for any usage. The Eleven hydrochemical parameters of groundwater samples from different formation were used in this study to understand groundwater chemistry in this complex multilayer aquifer system. The statistical analysis of the results shows that dominant process of weathering of feldspar, pyroxene and ion exchange. The water flows along the formation dissolving these ions along its flow path through the process of leaching of the secondary salts inherited in the formation obtained by the mixing of several geochemical processes. The anthropogenic impacts in the groundwater are noted in the younger formation than that of Cretaceous and Lower Cuddalore.

Assessment of sources for higher Uranium concentration in ground waters of the Central Tamilnadu, India

The uranium concentration in groundwater has attained greater importance considering the health effects in mankind. Groundwater being the major source of uranium; sampling and analysis of groundwater for the major cations and anions along with uranium has been carried out in hard rock aquifers of Madurai district. The sampling has been carried out in varied aquifers like, Charnockites, Hornblende Biotite Gneiss, Granites, Quartzites, Laterites and sandstone. The cation and anions showed the following order of dominance Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+>K+ and that of anions are HCO3 ->Cl->SO4 2-> NO3 ->PO4 3-. Higher concentration of uranium was found along the granitic aquifers and it varied along the groundwater table condition. Further it was identified that the mineral weathering was the predominant source of U in groundwater. Tritium studies also reveal the fact that the younger waters are more enriched in uranium than the older groundwater with longer residence time.