Aquifer Mapping Through Integrated Approach And Numerical Modeling For Effective Management In Thirukkazhukundram Block Tamil Nadu India

Abstract

An integrated study of Remote sensing, GIS, geophysical, newlinegeochemical and groundwater flow modeling was carried out in newlineThirukkazhukundram block of Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu, India newlineto effectively identify potential zones, and, henceforth, promptly manage newlinethe groundwater and quench the domestic and agricultural needs. newlineUsing Remote sensing and GIS, groundwater potential zones newlinewere demarcated in Thirukkazhukundram block using weighted overlay newlineanalysis technique. This was validated by Electrical resistivity survey newlineusing Schlumberger array at 30 locations as per hydro geophysical study. newlineThe entire subsurface geology was clearly sensed from the developed newlineresistivity ranges, transverse resistance, longitudinal conductance arrived newlinewhich decided the subsurface lithology to hold and yield water. newlineFor hydro geochemical study, 30 groundwater samples were newlinecollected both in the pre monsoon (August 2016 end, September 2016) newlineand in the post monsoon (February 2017). The physicochemical newlineproperties like pH and EC were observed in the field using water analysis newlinekit while the analysis of the remaining chemical parameters was newlineperformed in the research laboratory using APHA procedure. Drinking newlinewater categorization of groundwater was implemented from Stuyfzand newlinecategorizations. A widespread area throughout the study block was newlineobserved to be of freshwater type. Before rainy season, more than 50% of newlinethe sample water collected fell under very hard category and during POM newline47% were categorized as moderately hard supporting the domestic newlinepurposes. Based on salinity hazard, USSL, Richards, 1954, during PRM, newlinex newline63% of the sample groundwater aligned within the permissible limit newlinewhich is very essential for the growth of sugarcane, paddy etc. 23% newlinespecified good salinity classification. During POM, 57% of the sample newlinewater registered good category which signified good yield of crops. Low newlinesodium hazard was noticed both in PRM and POM as formulated by newlineUSSL (Richards, 1954) classification based on SAR values. In certain newlineareas fluoride contamination