Rashid Umar

Hydrochemical characterization of groundwater in lower Kali watershed, Western Uttar Pradesh

A hydrogeochemical study was carried out to assess the groundwater quality in parts of Kali watershed in Bulandshahr and Aligarh district. 42 groundwater samples each were collected from hand pumps in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period 2012 respectively and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, Total Hardness, silica, anions (Cl, HCO3, CO3, SO4, F & NO3) and cations (Ca, Mg, Na & K). On the basis of various diagrams and plots, groundwater has been assessed for its hydrochemical characteristics and suitability for irrigation and drinking purposes. Results show dominance of alkalis and bicarbonates. The dominant facies identified from piper diagram is Na-K-HCO3. Four chemical groups of water have been identified on L-L diagram and majority of the samples fall in alkali-bicarbonate type and mixed type groups. Possible aqueous species in the groundwater are Mg(HCO3)2, Ca(HCO3)2, NaHCO3, NaCl, CaSO4, K2SO4 and Na2SO4. The US salinity diagram and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) suggest that the water is suitable for irrigation purpose. Nitrates in groundwater are within permissible limits except in 3 different locations in each season, which show high values due to the contamination from a landfill site and application of fertilizers. High positive correlation was observed between TDS and Na+, Cl-, Mg++ and Total Hardness (TH). Sodium show good correlation with Cl. Correlation of silica with Cl and TDS was done to assess the geogenic or anthropogenic involvement in evolving groundwater quality. Anthropogenic contributions from agricultural and domestic sources and weathering of rock forming minerals control the hydrochemistry of the area.

An integrated approach for aquifer vulnerability mapping using GIS and rough sets: study from an alluvial aquifer in North India

A modified DRASTIC model in a geographic information system (GIS) environment coupled with an information-analytic technique called ‘rough sets’ is used to understand the aquifer vulnerability characteristics of a segment of the lower Kali watershed in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Since the region is a flat plain, topography (T) is removed as a potential control. Other parameters are the same as in DRASTIC, hence the new model is termed as DRASIC. The rough set technique is employed to provide insight into the relative vulnerabilities of different administrative units (blocks) within the study area. Using rough sets, three important factors are computed: strength, certainty and coverage. Strength indicates how the vulnerability characteristics vary in the entire area, certainty gives the relative fractions of low, medium and high vulnerability regions within a particular block, and coverage computes the percentage of a particular vulnerability state in each block. The purpose of the work is to demonstrate the utility of this integrated approach in classifying different administrative blocks in the study area according to their aquifer vulnerability characteristics. This approach is particularly useful for block-level planning and decision making for sustainable management of groundwater resources.RésuméUne approche DRASTIC modifiée intégrée dans un système d’information géographique (SIG), couplé avec une technique d’analyse des données nommée « ensembles approximatifs », est utilisée pour comprendre les caractéristiques de vulnérabilité de l’aquifère sur une partie du bassin versant du Kali inférieur, dans l’Ouest de l’Uttar Pradesh, en Inde. Comme la région est une plaine dénuée de relief, la topographie (T) est retirée des paramètres de contrôle. Les autres paramètres sont identiques à ceux de DRASTIC, de sorte que le la nouvelle approche est désignés sous le nom de DRASIC. La technique des ensembles approximatifs est utilisée pour apporter de la précision aux vulnérabilités relatives des différentes unités administratives (blocs), au sein de la zone d’étude. Utilisant les ensembles approximatifs, trois paramètres importants sont calculés: force, certitude et couverture. La force indique comment les caractéristiques de vulnérabilité varient dans l’ensemble de la zone, la certitude donne les fractions relatives des secteurs de vulnérabilité faible, moyenne et élevée, au sein d’un bloc particulier, et la couverture calcule le pourcentage d’un état de vulnérabilité particulier dans chaque bloc. L’objectif de ce travail est de démontrer l’utilité de cette approche intégrée pour classer les différents blocs administratifs de la zone d’étude, en fonction des caractéristiques de la vulnérabilité des aquifères. Cette approche est particulièrement utile pour une planification à l’échelle de chaque bloc et une prise de décision pour une gestion durable des ressources en eau souterraine.ResumenSe utilizó un modelo DRASTIC modificado en un ambiente de sistema de información geográfica (GIS) acoplado con la técnica de información analítica denominada ‘conjuntos aproximados’ para entender las características de la vulnerabilidad del acuífero de un segmento de la cuenca baja de Kali en el oeste de Uttar Pradesh, India. Puesto que la región es una planicie llana, la topografía (T) fue eliminada como un control potencial. Otros parámetros son los mismos que en el DRASTIC, por lo tanto el nuevo modelo es denominado como DRASIC. Se empleó la técnica de conjunto aproximada para proveer conocimientos más profundos de las vulnerabilidades relativas de las diferentes unidades administrativas (bloques) dentro del área de estudio. Usando conjuntos aproximados, se computaron los tres factores importantes: la solidez, la certeza y la cobertura. La solidez indica como varían las características de vulnerabilidad en el total del área, la certeza da la fracción relativa de las regiones de baja, media y alta vulnerabilidad dentro de un bloque particular, y la cobertura computa el porcentaje de un estado particular de vulnerabilidad en cada bloque. El propósito del trabajo es demostrar la utilidad de este enfoque integrado para clasificar diferentes bloques administrativos en el área de estudio de acuerdo a sus características de vulnerabilidad del acuífero. Este enfoque es particularmente útil para la planificación y la toma de decisión a nivel de bloque para el manejo sustentable de los recursos de agua subterránea.摘要与信息解析技术耦合的地理信息系统环境下改进DRASTIC模型被称为“粗集”,用于了解印度北方邦西部Kali流域下游某段含水层脆弱性特征。本地区是平坦的平原,因此,地形(T)不算做一个潜在的控制因素。其他参数与DRASTIC中的相同,因此,新的模型称为DRASIC。采用粗集技术可深入认识研究区内不同管理单元(区块)的相对脆弱性。采用粗集技术,要计算三个主要因素:强度、确定性和覆盖范围。强度是指脆弱性特征在整个地区是如何变化的,确定性表示特定区块内低、中、高脆弱性地区的相对系数,覆盖范围计算每个区块内特殊脆弱性状态的百分比。研究的目的就是展示这个综合方法在研究区根据含水层脆弱性特征对不同管理区块进行分类的使用性。这个方法对地下水资源可持续管理区块尺度的规划和决策特别有用ResumoUtiliza-se um modelo DRASTIC modificado num ambiente de sistema de informação geográfica (SIG) acoplado com uma técnica de informação analítica designada de “conjuntos irregulares” (“rough sets”) para perceber as caraterísticas de vulnerabilidade aquífera de um segmento da bacia hidrográfica do baixo Kali, no Uttar Pradesh ocidental, Índia. Dado que a região é uma planície, o parâmetro topografia (T) é retirado como controlo potencial. Os restantes parâmetros são os mesmos do DRASTIC, pelo que se designa o novo modelo como DRASIC. Utiliza-se a técnica dos conjuntos irregulares para dar uma visão das vulnerabilidades relativas de diferentes unidades administrativas (blocos) da área de estudo. Utilizando conjuntos irregulares, calculam-se três fatores importantes: força, certeza e cobertura. A força indica como as caraterísticas de vulnerabilidade variam na área inteira, a certeza dá as frações relativas das regiões de vulnerabilidade baixa, média ou alta dentro de um bloco particular, e a cobertura calcula a percentagem de um estado de vulnerabilidade particular em cada bloco. O objetivo do trabalho é demonstrar a utilidade da abordagem integrada na classificação de diferentes blocos administrativos na área de estudo, de acordo com as suas caraterísticas de vulnerabilidade aquífera. Esta abordagem é particularmente útil para planeamento e tomada de decisão, a nível de bloco, na gestão sustentável de recursos hídricos subterrâneos.

Groundwater flow modelling of Hindon-Yamuna interfluve region, Western Uttar Pradesh

The study area Hindon -Yamuna interfluve region is underlain by a thick pile of unconsolidated Quaternary alluvial deposits and host multiple aquifer system. Excessive pumping in the last few decades, mainly for irrigation, has resulted in a significant depletion of the aquifer. Therefore, proper groundwater management of Hindon-Yamuna interfluve region is necessary. For effective groundwater management of a basin it is essential that careful zone budget study should be carried out. Keeping this in view, groundwater flow modelling was attempted to simulate the behavior of flow system and evaluate zone budget. Visual MODFLOW, pro 4.1 is used in this study to simulate groundwater flow. The model simulates groundwater flow over an area of about 1345 km2 with a uniform grid size of 1000 m by 1000 m and contains three layers, 58 rows and 37 columns. The horizontal flows, seepage losses from unlined canals, recharge from rainfall and irrigation return flows were applied using different boundary packages available in Visual MODFLOW, pro 4.1. The river — aquifer interaction was simulated using the river boundary package. Simulated pumping rates of 500 m3/day, 1000 m3/day and 1500 m3/day were used in the pumping well package.The zone budget for the steady state condition of study area indicated that the total annual direct recharge is 416.10 MCM and the total annual groundwater draft through pumping is of the order of 416.63 MCM. Two scenarios were considered to predict aquifer system response under different conditions. Sensitivity analysis on model parameters was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the impact of varying model inputs. Based on the results obtained from the sensitivity analysis, it was found that the model is more sensitive to hydraulic conductivity and recharge parameter. Present study deals with importance of groundwater modelling for planning, design, implementation and management of groundwater resources.

Trace Elements in Groundwater of Hindon-Yamuna Interfluve Region, Baghpat District, Western Uttar Pradesh

The present study was carried out in parts of Hindon-Yamuna interfluve region to evaluate the concentration of trace elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, B and Pb) in groundwater. Pre-monsoon groundwater samples were collected in 2007 from 22 locations distributed throughout the study area, and were analyzed using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass-Spectrophotometer (ICPMS).Trace element analyses show high concentration levels for Al and Cr in almost all groundwater samples. Relatively high values are also reported for Pb, Se, Fe and Mn (as per B.I.S (1991) standard for drinking water) in few samples. These high concentrations of metal ions in groundwater were probably due to discharge of untreated effluents from Textile, dyeing and other industries. As far as Al is concerned, its source is rather enigmatic.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of Moradabad city, an important industrial town of Uttar Pradesh, India

An attempt has been made to understand the hydrochemistry of Moradabad city, a major industrial town of western Uttar Pradesh. For this purpose a total of 188 samples for both the seasons (pre- and post-monsoon of 2012 and 2013) were collected and analyzed for major cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and anions (Cl−, HCO3−, SO4−, NO3− and F−) and 14 samples collected in 2013 were analyzed for trace elements. The groundwater is slightly acidic to alkaline in nature and moderately hard to very hard. Elevated concentration of most of the major ions and trace elements is observed in the area. On the basis of Piper Trilinear plot groundwater has been identified as Na–Cl–SO4 type in pre-monsoon and Na–HCO3 type in post-monsoon season. Base-exchange indices along with meteoric genesis indices demonstrate that groundwater in all the four seasons belong to alkali bicarbonate type and are of shallow meteoric water percolation type. The concentration of the trace elements like (Al, Fe, Se and As) is higher than the permissible limits. Correlation of SiO2 with Cl and TDS was done to assess the processes responsible for altering the groundwater chemistry. Water quality index maps show that the groundwater in the north eastern and central parts of the study area is unsuitable for drinking purpose. A comparison of spatial distribution of EC and Cl with those of WQI depicts a strong correlation. The study, thus, suggests the poor groundwater quality of Moradabad city. Urban sprawl, population explosion, industrial expansion heavily affected the water quality of the study area.

Stable isotopic and hydrochemical studies in a part of central Ganga basin

Isotopic and hydrochemical studies of groundwater were attempted in a part of central Ganga basin to gain knowledge on recharge conditions, to outline the processes responsible for isotopic fractionation, to determine the surface-water groundwater interaction and to locate the sources of groundwater contamination in the area. In the present study, conjunctive use of isotopic and silica data is employed to make an assessment of residence time of water underground and to decipher the role of rock water interaction in isotopic variations. Although the aquifer in the area is isotopically heterogeneous in its lateral extension, but oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of most of the samples in premonsoon and post-monsoon exhibited very similar ranges which point to the single source of recharge in both the seasons. However, during post-monsoon, evaporation effects can be observed in some groundwater samples which can be attributed to the irrigation return flow in the area. Various sources of groundwater contamination have been narrowed down and it has been found that agriculture plays a dominant role in groundwater contamination in addition to other domestic and industrial sources.

Impact of land-use on groundwater quality: GIS-based study from an alluvial aquifer in the western Ganges basin

In this study, groundwater quality of an alluvial aquifer in the western Ganges basin is assessed using a GIS-based groundwater quality index (GQI) concept that uses groundwater quality data from field survey and laboratory analysis. Groundwater samples were collected from 42 wells during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods of 2012 and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, Anions (Cl, SO4, NO3), and Cations (Ca, Mg, Na). To generate the index, several parameters were selected based on WHO recommendations. The spatially variable grids of each parameter were modified by normalizing with the WHO standards and finally integrated into a GQI grid. The mean GQI values for both the season suggest good groundwater quality. However, spatial variations exist and are represented by GQI map of both seasons. This spatial variability was compared with the existing land-use, prepared using high-resolution satellite imagery available in Google earth. The GQI grids were compared to the land-use map using an innovative GIS-based method. Results indicate that the spatial variability of groundwater quality in the region is not fully controlled by the land-use pattern. This probably reflects the diffuse nature of land-use classes, especially settlements and plantations.

Estimation of Anthropogenic Influences in Groundwater Quality of Shallow Aquifers of Moradabad City, Western Uttar Pradesh

The present work has been carried out in Moradabad, one of the important cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The main focus of the study is to estimate the extent of anthropogenic contamination in shallow groundwater of the area. For this purpose, total 188 groundwater samples collected from handpumps in pre- and post monsoon period of 2012 and 2013 (47 in each season) were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, major cations (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) and anions (Cl, HCO3, SO4, NO3 and F). The results of the analysis suggested that groundwater is slightly alkaline, hard to very hard in nature, average TDS values were found to be more than 1000 mg/l, which gives a clear evidence of anthropogenic influences. To estimate the extent of contamination, the information on relatively unpolluted groundwater systems occurring in different terrains including Ganga plain where the groundwater was relatively unaffected by anthropogenic activities is used. The estimated pristine chemical composition of groundwater of different terrains used in the present study was compared with the groundwater of Moradabad city. This comparison showed that Moradabad city with the highest Na, K, Cl, SO4 and NO3 values being 440 mg/l, 96 mg/l, 537 mg/l, 537 mg/ l and 244 mg/l, respectively, is one of the most polluted urban centres within the Ganga plain. It may be suggested that values of > 50 mg/l for Na, > 10 mg/l for K, > 25 mg/l for Cl, > 50 mg/l for SO4 and > 10 mg/l for NO3 have their respective sources in anthropogenic activities such as agricultural in the peripheral region, human and animal wastes, leakages from drains and septic tanks, landfill leachates and industrial effluents.

Assessment of Hydrochemical Evolution of Ground Water through Silica Geothermometry in a Part of Ganga Basin

The hydrogeochemical processes and hydrogeochemistry of the ground water vary spatially and temporally, depending on the geology and chemical characteristics of the aquifer. Fresh groundwaters flowing through different aquifers may be identified and differentiated by their characteristic salinity levels and ionic ratios (Rosenthal, 1987). Changes in chemical characteristics of ground water in different aquifers over space and time often serve as an important technique in deciphering a geochemical model of the hydrological system (Cheboterev, 1955; Hem, 1959; Back and Hanshaw, 1965; Gibbs, 1970; Srinivasamoorthy, 2005; Srinivasamoorthy et al., 2008; Dehnavi et al., 2011). An understanding of geochemical evolution of ground water is important for a sustainable development of water resources for any region; in this connection, an attempt was made to assess the hydrochemical characteristics and chemical alteration of ground water in the study area.