Assessment of physico-chemical characteristics of ground water quality of some areas of Imphal West district of Manipur during monsoon – 2^nd phase

Nandababu Singh Laishram

Department of Chemistry, D.M. College of Science, Imphal – 795001 Manipur, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: l.nandababu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT:

Thirteen (13) ground water samples were collected from the hand pumps of different sampling sites located within Imphal West district of Manipur during monsoon of 2014. They were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, TDS (total dissolved solids), electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TA), CO₃^2-, HCO₃^-, total hardness (TH), Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^-. In case of ground water (S-12) of Wangdei Meitei Leikai, Langol, the values of all the physico-chemical parameters are within the desirable limits of BIS standards for drinking water as well as that of WHO and it is found to be fit for drinking from physico-chemical analyses point of view. However, in case of other remaining twelve (12) ground waters (S-1 to S-11 and S-13), the values of total alkalinity are beyond desirable limit (200mg/L) but below the permissible limit (600 mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water. Again in case of ground water represented by S-2, the concentration of Mg²⁺ is beyond the desirable limit (30mg/L) but below the permissible limit (100mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water. So, such ground waters (S-1 to S-11 and S-13) may also be used for drinking purpose in absence of alternate sources. However, some suitable treatments are necessary so as to keep the values of total alkalinity for ground waters S-1 to S-11 and S-13 and concentration of Mg²⁺ for ground water S-2 within the corresponding desirable limits of BIS standards for drinking water. Again, all the ground waters (S-1 to S-13) are found to be fit for other domestic purpose as their TDS values are less than 1000mg/L. On the basis of values of RSC(residual sodium carbonate), electrical conductivity and SAR(sodium adsorption ratio), all the thirteen (13) ground waters (S-1 to S-13) are found to be fit for irrigation purpose.

Further, on the basis of correlation co-efficient (r) values between various variable pairs of physico-chemical parameters, strong positive correlation exist between TDS and electrical conductivity (EC); and between Na⁺ and Cl^-. Again, HCO₃^- shows moderately positive correlations with Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ showing that total alkalinity of different ground waters, is due to the presence of Ca(HCO₃)₂ and NaHCO₃ mainly.

KEYWORDS: Ground water, monsoon, physico-chemical parameters, drinking, domestic and irrigation

INTRODUCTION:

With increasing population growth all over the world, rate of urbanization increases. Consequently quantity of surface water bodies decreases day by day. This leads to extensive exploration of ground water to meet the requirements for consumption of human beings for drinking, other domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes mainly. Out of total global water resources, ground water is about 0.6% and out of which only 0.3% is extractable economically.¹ Chances of ground water pollution is somewhat lesser compared with that of surface water bodies which is mainly caused by increasing rapid population growth of people and hence with increasing urbanization and industrialization all over the world.² However, such ground water may not always be safe for drinking, other domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes. Therefore, it is always necessary to examine whether such ground water is fit for drinking, other domestic, irrigation and industrial purpose from time to time. In this regard, many researchers of different countries had carried out extensive researches on qualities of ground water.^3-7 In India also, many researchers of different states, had carried out such researches on the qualities of ground water in order to examine whether such ground water is fit for drinking, other domestic and irrigation purposes mainly.^8-13

The present aim of this research work is to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of ground water quality of some areas of Imphal West district of Manipur during September of monsoon period of 2014. This is in continuation of my former research work on ground water quality of some areas of Imphal East and Imphal West districts during pre-monsoon of 2014.¹⁴

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

All the chemicals were of AR grade and were used as received. The thirteen (13) ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) were collected from hand humps of different sampling sites, in well sterilized polythene bottles of one litre capacity each. Guidelines of sampling and preservation¹⁵ were strictly followed. The samples were collected from thirteen different locations of Imphal West district during September (monsoon) of 2014. They were analysed for physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, TDS (total dissolved solids), electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity(TA), CO₃^2-, HCO₃^-, total hardness (TH), Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^-. The geographical locations (longitudes and latitudes) of the thirteen sampling sites, were measured with the help of a GPS instrument and they are shown in table -1 given below:

Table-1 : Geographical positions of thirteen different sampling sites located in Imphal West district

Sample Code No. (with source)	Sampling Sites (Locations)	Longitude	Latitude
S-1(Hand pump)	Guigailong (1), Langol	93°55'36.58''E	24°50'18.73''N
S-2(Hand pump)	Guigailong (2), Langol (behind community hall)	93°55'36.44''E	24°50'23.09''N
S-3(Hand pump)	Langol Laimanai (1)	93°55'03.75''E	24°50'28.08''N
S-4(Hand pump)	Langol Laimanai (2), (near foothill)	93°55'00.46''E	24°50'30.51''N
S-5(Hand pump)	Yumjao Manbi Leikai, (Game Village –Zone III) (1)	93°54'3.00''E	24°49'29.97''N
S-6(Hand pump)	Meitei Langol, (Game Village –Zone III)(2)	93°53'50.04''E	24°49'26.05''N
S-7(Hand pump)	Game Village –Zone III(3), (Near Mary Kom’s residence)	93°53'42.23''E	24°49'29.73''N
S-8(Hand pump)	Namthalong Pt-II, Langol	93°54'52.13''E	24°50'28.77''N
S-9(Hand pump)	Lanthung Ching (1), Langol	93°54'49.50''E	24°50'13.07''N
S-10(Hand pump)	Lanthung Ching (2), Langol	93°54'43.48''E	24°50'13.17''N
S-11(Hand pump)	Game Village –Zone III(4)	93°53'54.21''E	24°49'21.00''N
S-12(Hand pump)	Wangdei Meitei Leikai, Langol	93°53'56.77''E	24°49'41.03''N
S-13(Hand pump)	Langol Ningthou Leikai	93°54'36.97''E	24°50'17.75''N

Parameters like temperature, pH, TDS and electrical conductivity were measured during the time of sampling of the thirteen different ground water samples while the values of other parameters such as total alkalinity (and hence CO₃^2- and HCO₃^-), total hardness, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ (by calculation method) and Cl^- were determined in departmental research laboratory using standard methods.¹⁵ Values of Na⁺ (sodium) were found out by calculation method.¹⁶

Various equipments and brief methods used for measurements and determinations of values different physico-chemical parameters for the different ground water samples, are shown in table-2 given below :

Table–2: Instruments and methods used for measurements/determination of physico-chemical parameters of ground water samples.

Physico-chemical parameters measured/ determined	Instruments and methods used
Temperature	TDS Meter (TDS-3)(TDS/Temp.) (HIMEDIA, India)
pH	pHep® Pocket-sized pH Meter (HI 98107) (HANNA Instruments, Romania)
TDS (total dissolved solids)	TDS Meter (TDS-3)(TDS/Temp.) (HIMEDIA, India)
Electrical conductivity (EC)	Conductivity Tester (Dist 3: HI 98303) (HANNA Instruments, Romania)
Total alkalinity (TA)	By titrimetric method with standard HCl solution using phenolphthalein and methyl orange indicators
CO3^2- and HCO3^-	By calculation method from total alkalinity values
Total hardness (TH)	EDTA titrimetric method (using Eriochrome Black T indicator)
Calcium (Ca^2+)	EDTA titrimetric method (using Murexide indicator)
Magnesium (Mg^2+)	By calculation method
Sodium (Na^+)	By calculation method
Chloride (Cl^-)	Argentometric titrimetric method (Using K2CrO4 indicator solution)

Values of parameters such as RSC (residual sodium carbonate) and SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) for the different ground water samples, were calculated using the following relationships^16-17:

Where ionic concentrations were expressed in

milli-equivalents/ litre (meq/L).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

All the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) are found to be colourless and odourless. The experimentally found values of different physico-chemical parameters for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) are shown in table-3 given below:

Table-3: Values of physico-chemical parameters of ground water samples

Samples Code No.	Tempt (°C)	pH	TDS (mg/L)	Electrical conductivity (EC) (μS/cm)	Total alkalinity (TA) (as CaCO3) (mg/L)	HCO3^- (mg/L)	Total Hardness (TH) (as CaCO3) (mg/L)	Ca^2+ (mg/L)	Mg^2+ (mg/L)	Na^+ (mg/ L)	Cl^- (mg/L)
S-1	23.9	6.5	205	434	245	298.9	170	30.5	22.8	21.7	7.1
S-2	23.5	6.9	280	531	330	402.6	272	55.3	32.6	8.5	8.5
S-3	23.6	7.1	214	453	240	292.8	182	32.1	24.8	20.4	12.8
S-4	23.7	7.3	248	519	285	347.7	220	42.5	27.7	18.2	9.9
S-5	23.8	7.8	449	915	255	311.1	200	40.1	24.3	118.4	178.7
S-6	24.2	7.6	227	490	275	335.5	110	24	12.2	62.1	7.1
S-7	24.4	7.7	210	445	245	298.9	150	29.7	18.5	33.2	7.1
S-8	22.8	7.6	232	484	265	323.3	190	36.1	24.3	23.9	7.1
S-9	22.8	7.7	203	422	240	292.8	166	31.3	21.4	20.6	5.7
S-10	23.1	7.6	390	782	265	323.3	212	36.1	29.6	82.4	129
S-11	23.2	8	321	655	340	414.8	74	16	8.3	116.5	29.8
S-12	23.7	7.2	115	240	120	146.4	100	16	14.6	9.2	7.1
S-13	23.8	7.7	212	450	245	298.9	120	22.4	15.6	48.3	9.9

On the basis of the above table -3, the following discussion has been made :

Temperature:

The temperature of the ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) are in the range 22.8-24.4°C (table-3). Temperatures of the samples S-8 and S-9 are lowest (22.8°C each) and that of S-7 is highest (24.4°C).

pH Values:

The pH values for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) are in the range 6.5-8 (table-3). Except S-1 and S-2 which are slightly acidic in nature, the samples represented by S-3 to S-13 are slightly alkaline. S-1 has lowest value of pH(6.5) while that of S-11 is highest (8). However, all the pH values for the thirteen ground water samples, are within the desirable limit (6.5 – 8.5) of BIS standards for drinking water as well as that of WHO.^18-19

TDS (Total dissolved solids):

The TDS values for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) ranges from 115mg/L to 449mg/L (table-3). All these values of TDS are within the desirable limit (500 mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water.¹⁸ The ground water represented by S-12 has the lowest value (115 mg/L) while that of S-5 is the highest (449mg/L). As all the TDS values for the thirteen ground water samples, are less than 1000mg/L, all of them may also be used for other domestic purposes.²⁰

Electrical conductivity (EC):

The electrical conductivity values for the thirteen ground water samples, are in the range 240-915 µS/cm (table-3). S-12 has the lowest value of EC(240 µS/cm) while that of S-5 is the highest (915µS/cm).

Total alkalinity (TA):

The values of total alkalinity for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13), are in the range 120-340mg/L (table-3). S-12 has the lowest value (120mg/L) while S-11 has the highest value of total alkalinity (340mg/L). Except the ground water (S-12) which has total alkalinity value below desirable limit, other remaining ground water samples have their values of total alkalinity values beyond desirable limit (200mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water but below permissible limit (600mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water.¹⁸

CO₃^2- and HCO₃^-:

As the phenolphthalein alkalinity (P-alkalinity) of all thirteen ground water samples are found to be zero, it is inferred that CO₃^2- is absent in all the samples. Therefore, alkalinity of different ground water samples is due to the presence of HCO₃^- ions only. The concentrations of HCO₃^- for different ground water samples, are in the range 146.4-414.8mg/L. S-12 has lowest concentration of HCO₃^- (146.4mg/L) while that of S-11 is highest (414.8mg/L).

Total hardness (TH):

The values of total hardness for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) ranges from 74mg/L to 272 mg/L (table-3). S-11 has the lowest value total hardness (74mg/L) while that of S-2 is the highest one (272 mg/L). All the values of total hardness for the thirteen samples (S-1 to S-13) are below the desirable limit (300mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water.¹⁸ From the values of total hardness shown in table-3, it is clearly seen that S-11 belongs to soft water category (0-75mg/L); S-6, S-7, S-12 and S-13 belong to moderately hard water category (75-150mg/L) while remaining ones such as S-1 to S-5, S-8, S-9 and S-10 belong to hard water category (150-300mg/L).²⁰

Calcium (Ca²⁺) :

Concentrations of Ca²⁺ for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) are in the range 16-55.3 mg/L (table -3). S-11 and S-12 have equal and lowest concentration of Ca²⁺(16mg/L) while S-2 has highest concentration of Ca²⁺(55.3mg/L). All these concentration values of Ca²⁺ for the thirteen ground water samples, are below the desirable limit (75mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water.¹⁸

Magnesium (Mg²⁺):

About magnesium contents of the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13), the values are in the range 8.3-32.6mg/L (table-3). The values of concentration of Mg²⁺ for the samples S-1 and S-3 to S-13 are below the desirable limit (30mg/L) while that of S-2 is above the desirable limit but below the permissible limit (100mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water.¹⁸

Sodium (Na⁺) :

Regarding the sodium contents for the thirteen ground water samples, the concentrations of sodium for the different samples are in the range 8.5-118.4mg/L (table-3). All the values are below the threshold limit (200mg/L) of WHO for drinking water.¹⁹. S-2 has lowest concentration (8.5mg/L) of Na⁺ while S-5 has highest concentration (118.4 mg/L).

Chloride (Cl^-) :

The concentrations of Cl^- for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) ranges from 5.7mg/L to 178.7mg/L (table-3). All these values are below the desirable limit (250mg/L) of BIS standards for drinking water.¹⁸ S-9 has the lowest concentration of Cl^- (5.7mg/L) while that of S-5 is the highest (178.7mg/L).

Ground water quality for irrigation:

The values of RSC(residual sodium carbonate) and SAR(sodium adsorption ratio) for the thirteen ground water samples (S-1 to S-13) are shown in table-4 given below :

Table-4 : Values of RSC and SAR for different ground water samples

Sample Code No.	S-1	S-2	S-3	S-4	S-5	S-6	S-7	S-8	S-9	S-10	S-11	S-12	S-13
RSC(Residual sodium carbonate) (meq/L)	1.50	1.15	1.15	1.30	1.10	3.29	1.89	1.49	1.47	1.06	5.31	0.4	2.49
SAR(Sodium adsorption ratio)	0.7	0.2	0.7	0.5	3.6	2.6	1.2	0.8	0.7	2.5	5.9	0.4	1.9

In the above table-4, it is clearly seen that ground waters represented by S-2, S-3, S-5, S-10 and S-12 have their values of RSC less than 1.25meq/L and belong to excellent category (RSC value <1.25 meq/L) for irrigation purpose while that of S-1, S-4, S-7, S-8, S-9 and S-13 are within the good quality category (RSC value in the range 1.25-2.5 meq/L) for irrigation purpose.^1,16.

Again it is evident from table-3 that only ground water (S-12) belong to the category of excellent quality for irrigation (0-250 µS/cm); S-1 to S-4, S-6 to S-9, S-11 and S-13 belong to category of good quality for irrigation (250-750µS/cm) while S-5 and S-10 belong to permissible category for irrigation(750-2000 µS/cm).¹⁷

However, the values of SAR for the thirteen ground water samples represented by S-1 to S-13, are in the range 0.2-5.9 and they belong to the excellent category of water for irrigation (SAR value upto 10).^1,17 Summing up, all ground waters represented by S-1 to S-13, are fit for irrigation purpose.

Statistical analysis based on correlation co-efficient (r) values:

The calculated values of correlation co-efficient (r) of different variable pairs of physico-chemical parameters for the thirteen ground waters samples (S-1 to S-13), are shown in table-5 given below:

Table-5: Correlation co-efficient (r) values between different variable pairs of physico-chemical parameters of ground water samples

	Temp.	pH	TDS	EC	TA	HCO3^-	TH	Ca^2+	Mg^2+	Na^+	Cl^-
Temp.	1
pH	-0.195	1
TDS	-0.172	0.377	1
EC	-0.146	0.375	0.999	1
TA	-0.172	0.179	0.533	0.550	1
HCO3^-	-0.172	0.179	0.533	0.550	1	1
TH	-0.199	-0.402	0.363	0.364	0.303	0.303	1
Ca^2+	-0.136	-0.332	0.397	0.405	0.427	0.427	0.976	1
Mg^2+	-0.248	-0.450	0.314	0.310	0.175	0.175	0.979	0.911	1
Na^+	-0.019	0.650	0.790	0.790	0.367	0.367	-0.283	-0.225	-0.325	1
Cl^-	-0.081	0.332	0.880	0.870	0.068	0.068	0.257	0.230	0.270	0.727	1

From the above table-5, it is clearly seen that strong positive correlation (r=0.999) is there between TDS and EC showing that electrical conductivity (EC) of ground water increases with the increase of its TDS value. The strong positive correlation (r=0.727) between Na⁺ and Cl^- shows the presence of NaCl in dissolve state. HCO₃^- shows moderately positive correlations with Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ having the values of r as 0.427 and 0.367 respectively showing that the total alkalinity of different ground waters, is attributed to the presence of Ca(HCO₃)₂ and NaHCO₃ mainly.

CONCLUSIONS:

On the basis of the above discussion based on various experimental data, the following conclusions are drawn:

(1) Ground water (S-12) of Wangdei Meitei Leikai, Langol is fit for drinking purpose from physico-chemical analyses point of view.

(2) Though ground waters (S-1 to S-11 and S-13) are fit for drinking in absence of alternate sources, some treatments are necessary so as to keep their total alkalinity values and concentration of Mg²⁺ in case of ground water S-2 within desirable limits of BIS standards for drinking water.

(3) All these ground waters are suitable for other domestic and irrigation purposes.

(4) Strong positive correlations exist between TDS and electrical conductivity (EC); between Na⁺ and Cl^-. Further, moderately positive correlations of HCO₃^- with Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ shows that total alkalinity of different ground waters, is due to presence of Ca(HCO₃)₂ and NaHCO₃ mainly.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

The author is thankful to Principal, D.M. College of Science, Imphal for some of the laboratory facilities provided for the research work and also thankful to those local people of different sampling sites, who had extended their co-operation.

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Received on 23.07.2015 Modified on 14.08.2015

Accepted on 22.08.2015 © AJRC All right reserved

Asian J. Research Chem. 8(8): August 2015; Page 545-549

DOI: 10.5958/0974-4150.2015.00087.5