Hydrogeochemical Evaluation and Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Groundwater for Sustainable Groundwater Quality Management in the Industrial Corridor of Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Groundwater is gradually becoming the primary water source for humans and other living organisms to sustain life on Earth. The groundwater quality in the industrial regions has been significantly contaminated in recent years due to anthropogenic activities, leading to various human health issues. In this study, the groundwater quality and hydrogeochemical characteristics of the Ranipet Industrial Corridor (RIC) were assessed by employing multivariate statistics, standard scatter plots, and the water quality index (WQI). Forty groundwater samples (12 bore wells and 28 open wells) were collected during the post-monsoon (January 2022) season, and the estimation of physicochemical parameters was carried out based on American Public Health Association (APHA) guidelines. The evaporation and rock-water interaction are controlling groundwater hydrochemistry in the study area, as illustrated by Gibbs's diagram. In contrast, 82% of groundwater samples are severely affected by human activity, and 12% are impacted by silicate weathering, illustrated by scatter plots. According to the Chadha diagram, gypsum dissolution is the primary reason for the chemical composition of groundwater in the RIC (87.5%). The primary hydrochemical processes in the study area include silicate weathering, evaporation, ion exchange, and rock-water interaction. The Mukundarayapuram, Navlock, and Melvisharam region’s groundwater quality is unsuitable (92.5%) for irrigation due to the high concentration of sodium, based on Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) results. Anthropogenic activities are the primary cause of groundwater degradation and hydrogeochemical changes, with the groundwater quality of RIC being over 60% very poor. A comprehensive treatment procedure before effluent discharge and stringent water regulating policies governed by environmental monitoring organizations are the pressing priorities to build a sustainable environment and reduce the health risks of groundwater.