Pappaka, Ravi Kumar , Somagouni, Srinivasa Gowd , Chinthala, Krupavathi , Badapalli, Pradeep Kumar
2025-09-01 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION 2025 29(卷), 5(期), (null页)
Groundwater, a vital resource for drinking and irrigation in the semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh, is increasingly threatened by rapid depletion and quality deterioration due to growing demands from intensive agriculture and population expansion. In this study, a total of 92 groundwater samples were collected from boreholes during the pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons, and their physicochemical properties were systematically analyzed. The major ion sequence in the groundwater was found to be Na+> Ca2+> Mg2+> K+ for cations, and HCO3-> Cl-> SO42-> NO3-> F-for anions. During the PRM season, only 19% of the samples met drinking water standards, with Water Quality Index (WQI) values ranging from 59.18 to 172.21. In the POM season, 22% of the samples were deemed safe for drinking, with WQI values ranging from 70.07 to 229.46. AThe majority of the samples were unsafe due to contamination from human activities, including improper sewage disposal and agricultural runoff. To assess the suitability of groundwater for agricultural and domestic use, Gibbs, USSL, and Wilcox diagrams were utilized. The Gibbs plot indicated that rock dominance governs the groundwater chemistry in the region. Most samples were highly suitable for irrigation, as evidenced by favorable Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), %Na, Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Kelly's Ratio (KR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), and Permeability Index (PI) values. The Piper diagram revealed a prevalence of Ca2+-HCO(3)(-)and Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl-water types. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) Atechniques, the spatial distribution of groundwater quality was mapped, showing that the majority of samples failed to meet drinking water quality standards, thus necessitating treatment before consumption. Groundwater with elevated concentrations of fluoride and nitrate is unsuitable for drinking purposes and should be avoided. The findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable aquifer management strategies to ensure the continued availability of safe groundwater for both domestic and agricultural use.