Hydrogeochemical modeling based approach for evaluation of groundwater suitability for irrigational use in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, Central India

Systematic assessment of groundwater suitability for irrigation purpose was evaluated in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, Central India. As a part of the assessment, groundwater physico-chemical data of 56 locations were considered. Ascertaining the groundwater suitability and its characteristics, various quality indices and hydrogeochemical studies were performed. Quality results showed that groundwater of the study area was mostly alkaline in nature, where a total of 17% groundwater samples were found hard to very hard, 9% were slight to moderate hazard, and 4% were high saline type. Chemical indices, namely Sodium percentage (Na%), Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Permeability Index (PI), Kelly’s ratio (KR) and Magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR) were evaluated. According to the computed indices, majority of the samples were found to be suitable for irrigation. Based on USSL plot, around 54% of samples fell in C1-S1 and C2-S1 fields, indicating low to medium salinity with a low alkali hazard. Hence, groundwater fell under C1-S1 and C2-S1 fields can be used to irrigate all kind of soils with marginal increase of risk level for exchangeable Na+ content. Results of hydrogeochemical model suggested that groundwater of the study area were mainly influenced by rock-water interaction phenomena. Groundwater hydrogeochemical facies was characterized through Piper plot and Chadha’s diagram, which showed Ca–Mg–HCO3 type groundwater as the dominating facies within the study region.