Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for few habitations of Chandel District, Manipur (India)

A preliminary hydrogeochemical investigation of groundwater quality for spatially distributed habitations of Chandel district of Manipur was carried out with an objective to assess the suitability of groundwater for different anthropogenic uses. Altogether, eighteen (18) physico-chemical parameters including in situ parameters and major ions were analysed for classification and hydrogeochemical characterisation of groundwater resources of the study area. Some of the anions such as Cl- and SO42- were found in exceeding concentrations. Similarly, 23.1% samples exceed fluoride (F-) concentration beyond the permissible limit of 1.5 mg/l. The water quality index of the groundwater samples of the habitations was found to be influenced by the elevated concentrations of water quality parameters such as F-, EC, TDS, salinity, Cl- and SO42-. The geochemical analysis reveals that the majority of geochemical facies of the groundwater samples are dominated by Na+-Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl--HCO3--SO42- type of water resulting from rock-weathering geochemical process. Bivariate and multivariate analysis indicates the influences of hydrogeochemical interactions in the aquifer on the overall water quality. The irrigational water quality indices demonstrate that the water qualities of most of the sources are within the acceptable range except for few samples with high salinity and alkali hazards.