Geoinformatics for groundwater characterization − A case study
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Date
2014
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
The block Gohana is part of Sonipat district which lies between 28º57' and 29 12' N latitude to
76º38' and 76º52' E longitude with total area of 36,448 hectares. To ascertain the quality of
groundwater and its impact on physico-chemical properties soil, water samples were collected from all
the villages of block and analysed by standard methods. Based on the results of water analysis, soil
samples from eighteen sites were collected and analysed for their physico-chemical properties by
standard procedures. This study was accomplished by employing Geoinformatics to delineate and
estimate salt affected soils. Out of 2.41% of salt affected area, 1.13% is moderately salt affected and
1.28% is strongly salt affected.
The pH, EC, SAR and RSC in groundwater ranged from 7.19 - 9.72, 0.29 -15.76 (dSm-1),
4.03 - 24.16 (mmol l-1)1/2 and 0 - 9.2(me l-1), respectively. The cations ( Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) and
anions (Cl–, SO4
2–, HCO3
–, CO3
2– and NO3
–, F–) varied from 2.85 -114.6, 0.15 - 12, 0.45 - 36.2,
0.05 -0.99 (me l-1) and 0.8 - 115.4, 0.15 - 31.39, 0.5 - 12.4, 0-4.0 (me l-1) and 0.59 - 62.37, 0.08 - 1.52
ppm, respectively. As per the water quality classification criteria suggested by All India Coordinated
Research Project (AICRP) on Management of Salt Affected Soils and Saline Water Use in Agriculture
(1989), 23 samples were found to be of good quality, 8 marginally saline, 5 saline, 15 high SAR saline,
11 marginally alkali, 7 alkali and 12 highly alkali.
Soil profiles were collected based on different categories of irrigation water. Most of the
profiles were having salt developed due to the presence of salts in irrigation water. The highest and
lowest values of cation exchange capacity, exchangeable sodium percentage, organic carbon and
calcium carbonate of soils of block Gohana were 2.34, 22.19 cmol (p+) kg-1; 3.42, 72.26 percent; 0.09,
0.57 percent and 0.10, 7.00 percent, respectively. The highest and lowest values of electrical
conductivity, pH and sodium adsorption ratio of soil saturation extract of soils of Gohana were 1.26,
15.82 (dSm-1), 7.06, 9.74 and 2.68, 36.85 (mmol l-1)1/2, respectively. Most of the soil profiles were low
in fertility. Highest electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio of saturation extract were
observed in surface layers of the soil which gradually decreased with depth irrespective of texture and
quality of irrigation water.
After the analysis of soil and water, the Arc Map was used to create various thematic maps
like pH, EC, SAR, RSC and ESP of the study area. These thematic maps were combined to prepare
water and soil quality maps.
Description
Keywords
Geoinformatics, LISS-III, pH, EC, SAR, RSC, ESP, CEC, OC, CaCO3