Shive Prakash Rai, Kossitse Venyo Akpataku, Jacob Noble, Abhinav Patel, Suneel Kumar Joshi. Hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in northwestern part of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, India: A geochemical and isotopic approach[J]. Geoscience Frontiers, 2023, 14(6): 101676. DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101676
Citation: Shive Prakash Rai, Kossitse Venyo Akpataku, Jacob Noble, Abhinav Patel, Suneel Kumar Joshi. Hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in northwestern part of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, India: A geochemical and isotopic approach[J]. Geoscience Frontiers, 2023, 14(6): 101676. DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101676

Hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in northwestern part of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, India: A geochemical and isotopic approach

  • The present study aims to understand the hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in the Ghaggar River Basin, representing a zone of excessive abstraction of groundwater in the northwestern Indo-Gangetic Basin. The study comprises a regional scale and high-resolution sampling of groundwater during pre- and post-monsoon seasons of 2013 and their analyses for major ions, δ18O, δ2H, and 3H. Variation in hydrochemical and isotopic data is found both in spatial and vertical scales. The significant vertical variation of TDS, NO3 and K+ allowed the classification of the aquifer system into two major groups: shallow (depth < 80 m bgl) and deep (depth > 80 m bgl). The depthwise variations of δ18O and δ2H support this categorization of the aquifers. The Ca-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Na-HCO3 water facies with higher values of 3H in the proximal part of the basin characterize recharge areas under humid conditions. The dominance of Mg-Na-HCO3 and Na-HCO3 facies in shallow and deep aquifers in central part of the basin, illustrate the intermediate to advanced stages of hydrochemical evolution in the system. Dominance of brackish Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 and Na-Cl-SO4 water types in the discharge areas is due to the prevailing geological conditions and anthropogenic activities. Geochemical modelling supports the reverse cation exchange and mixing during lateral and vertical flows, weathering of silicate minerals, dissolution of crustal salts, and evaporative enrichment are the natural processes governing the evolution of groundwater chemistry along the flowpaths. The developed process-based conceptual model will aid in the formulation of a suitable plan for groundwater resource management in the region.
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