A pragmatic approach of hydrochemical and irrigation indices of groundwater quality of district Ballia, U.P. India

Abstract

In the groundwater aquifer media, enormous amounts of ions can be found naturally in rocks from the Pleistocene and Holocene ages. There are several reports of metals and ionic contamination in the different blocks of the Ballia district. This article focuses on a thorough investigation of the hydrogeochemical properties and the cause of ionic contamination in the Ballia district's groundwater system. This article discusses the interactions between the numerous cations and anions that are hydro-geologically present as well as several physico-chemical factors. The relationship analysis was conducted utilizing irrigation indices and a Stufzand classification, which was further supported by a Durov and Stiff plot. The Durov plot shows the mineralization of the aquifer by sand and evaporates of geological formation. The Gibbs plot shows that the rock–water interaction, weathering of silicates, evaporates dissolution, carbonate dissolution, and anthropogenic activities. The Stiff plot shows the highest concentration of Mg-rich minerals and Cl due to the weathering of calcite, amphiboles, and anthropogenic activities also proven by the Irrigation indices and Stufzand classification. The high water quality index (WQI) value was discovered to be mostly due to greater EC, total dissolved solids, hardness, nitrate, sulfate, chloride, and magnesium levels in groundwater.