Hydrogeochemical characteristics and multivariate statistical approach for monitoring groundwater quality scenario in the vicinity of industrial area of western Himalaya, India

In the present investigation, 50 groundwater samples were collected from Udham Singh Nagar District of Kumaun Himalaya in the pre-monsoon season and 15 physicochemical parameters were analysed using standard procedures. Here, we represent the chemistry of major cations and anions to know the overall water quality and hydrogeochemical characteristics controlling the solute acquisition processes and sources of elements in the study area. The analytical results revealed that in the groundwater samples, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were the dominant cations and HCO(3)was the most dominant anion in the study area. In all the groundwater samples, the content of alkaline earth metals (Ca2++ Mg2+) exceeded the mean content of alkalis (Na+ +K+). In 62% of groundwater samples, the value of weak acid (HCO3-) exceeded the content of strong acid (Cl- + SO 4 2-). Piper diagram, molar ratios and statistical techniques indicated that weathering of carbonate and silicate minerals mostly managed the solute acquisition process with very less involvement of human activities. Most of the groundwater samples were found suitable for potable and domestic purposes except for a few locations nearby SIKDKUL or other industries (the eastern and western part of the study area). Correlation analysis revealed the dependency of WQI values on Fe and Mn content.