Determination of Anthropogenic Sources in the Groundwater Chemistry Along KT Boundary of South India

The variation in geochemistry of Ariyalur region was investigated by analyzing 71 samples for cations and anions like K+, Na+, F−, Cl−, HCO3−, Mg2+, Ca2+, SO42−, PO43−, NO3− and H4SiO4 along with the physico-chemical variables like pH, total dissolved Solid (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) to investigate the influence of anthropogenic activities in the study area. The statistical analysis reveals that the main factors governing the geochemistry of the regions are dissolution of secondary salts, anthropogenic activities and ion exchange. The study findings also suggest that, the enriched samples are mostly along the Archean and Cretaceous formation with high chloride, reflecting the recharge from open water source. Relatively enriched samples are observed in Cretaceous, Tertiary and Quaternary formation with low chloride indicating the recharge from meteoric source. However, depleted samples of Quaternary and Tertiary formation with high chloride indicates recharge from anthropogenic sources.