Hydrochemical and Stable Isotopic Characterization of Groundwatr Pollution in Gohana Block, Haryana

Irrigated areas in many arid and semi-arid regions in the world are underlain by aquifers of poor quality due to natural topography, groundwater recharge and geo-chemical characteristics of the area, and anthropogenic activities like inefficient irrigation and canal seepage. Basically, the groundwater is saline in these areas. To minimize the occurrence of groundwater salinity and its spread in a given area characterization of groundwater through an integrated approach is very useful. In this context, hydrochemical and stable isotopes (¹⁸O and ²H) characterization of water has been reported here to provide an insight into possible mechanisms that control the chemical composition and salinity of groundwater in Gohana Block of Haryana. The hydrochemical parameters showed a wide range of variation but stable isotopic parameter don't show much variation. The narrow range of variation of ¹⁸O and ²H in the study area indicates that groundwater of the region have the same source of origin. The relationship between ¹⁸O Vs. EC, ¹⁸O Vs. Cl, ¹⁸O Vs. NO₃ and ¹⁸O Vs. SO₄ clearly suggested that infiltration of rain water, irrigation water and surface runoff water from the surrounding areas along with salts and agrochemicals present in the soil to be the main process causing pollution of groundwater.