Integrated evaluation of groundwater hydrochemistry using multivariate statistics and irrigation-based water quality indices.

Abstract

This research evaluates the appropriateness of groundwater for potable and irrigation need in the Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Fifteen different hydro chemical parameters selected for analysis, they are pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), Total Hardness (TH), Mg²⁺, Cl^-, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-, F^-, CO₃^2-, and HCO₃^- In the present research various approaches such as Multivariate statistical techniques (MSTs), Arithmetic water quality index (WQI), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), sodium percentage (Na%), US salinity, were examined. The WQI assessment reveals that 65% poor quality, 5% very poor quality and 15% water is not suitable for drinking purpose category. Thus, it indicates that the majority of groundwater surpassed acceptable thresholds for potable water consumption. Additional indices indicate that several metrics surpass their acceptable limits, rendering most samples inappropriate for irrigation. CaMgCl, NaCl and CaNaHCO₃ attributed to interfaces between water and rock and ion exchange processes in Sodium-Potassium from water and Calcium-Magnesium from rock. Furthermore, the US Salinity graphic confirms that the majority of groundwater samples demonstrate very high salinity risks and Sodium hazard, especially for elevated salt concentrations. Influence the soil fertility, permeability of soil and crop growth. The findings of this study will be beneficial to policymakers and decision-making authorities in executing sustainable water quality initiatives and efficient management of water resources as per scientific principles of various global and national agencies.