Volume : 2, Issue : 4, April - 2013

Physio–Chemical Characterization of Water Quality in Salinity Affected Area, Using GIS Spatial Mapping

Arivukkarasu. D, Dr. Nethaji Mariapppanv. E

Abstract :

Water resources are finite natural resources and are precious national assets. No living organisms can survive without water; agriculture is dependent on surface and ground water resources. The major Tsunami of December 26, 2004 had a profound impact on the south eastern coast of India. The ground water and surface water resources have been pollute by Tsunami due to saline water incursion and deposited sand mud in the fields and ponds that served as irrigation and drinking sources. A key concern is the nature and extent of the tsunami impact on the water supply and, in more general, the water resources of these areas. In the coastal areas of southern India, the majority of the population, which is rural or semi–urban, is relying on groundwater for their domestic and agricultural activities. About 810 km of Tamilnadu line was worst affected and 11 district were affected by Tsunami. Out of these districts, Nagapattinam was affected badly and ground water has been polluted due to saline water incursion and increased the salinity level. Sirkazhi and Tarangampadi Taluks of Nagapattinam District are considered for this study. The study area was selected based on the Hydro geological properties. A Study on Physio–Chemical parameters of water quality in the salinity affected areas of Nagapattinam District is taken up to evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Ground water samples are to be collected from the salinity affected areas of Sirkazhi and Tarangampadi Taluks. The water samples collected are 10 samples from Sirkazhi and 10 Tarangampadi Taluks are analyzed for pH, Sodium, Total Hardness, TDS, Chloride, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity. Geographic Information System (GIS) is used for spatial and temporal mapping of water quality in the study area. The analyzed parameters were verified for its toxicity levels with respect to BIS,WHO,ICMR standards, it is observed that the ground water is well within the permissible limit of pH, Salinity, Turbidity, DO prescribed by BIS, WHO, ISI, ICMR. Almost all other parameters like Chlorides (Cl), Sodium (Na), Hardness are exceeding the prescribed limit.