Evaluation Delineation and Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater Resources in Jhajjar District Haryana India

Abstract

newlineThe study was performed in Jhajjar district of Haryana to assess the groundwater quality with special reference to fluoride and salinity contamination. The research work focused to conduct groundwater quality tests, health survey, hydro-geochemical analysis, and developing groundwater remediation and rejuvenation plan. To observe the health impacts, an epidemiological survey was done in villages and in schools of Jhajjar district. The findings showed that nearly 60% of the school-going children were found affected with fluorosis on the dean s index with the prevalence of moderate type (scale 4). The other health problems observed in the district due to the intake of contaminated groundwater were abdominal pain, joint pain, stiffness in joints, backbone pain, stones, heaviness in stomach, and diarrhoea. The impact due to the intake of high fluoride concentration found more in the children. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) was more than 1 for all age groups and indicated maximum impact at the age of 5 years or so. newlineThe groundwater of shallow and deep aquifers of Jhajjar district was monitored for 4 consecutive years to evaluate the quality with the help of water quality index. Fluoride and Salinity zonation maps were prepared to observe the change in fluoride and salinity (TDS) concentration with respect to time. Results indicated variation and escalation in fluoride and salinity concentration in shallow and deep aquifers with time. In shallow aquifers, fluoride concentration was more than the deep aquifers, while deep aquifers were more saline as compared to shallow aquifers. The groundwater chemistry was also studied with the help of Piper Trilinear diagram and Gibbs diagram for water quality, which showed influence of rock-water interaction on groundwater hydrochemistry. newlineThe utmost purpose of this study was to develop in-situ remediation and rejuvenation plan for Jhajjar district. To achieve this, a comprehensive watershed development and management plan for Jhajjar district was developed with the help of remote sensing and GIS techniques. Seven sub-watersheds were delineated and micro-level drainage maps were prepared for the district. Detailed morphometric analysis (Linear, Areal and Relief aspects) of sub-watersheds was carried out to find out the most suitable sub-watershed in terms of augmenting groundwater resources. Finally, best artificial recharge structures and their most suitable locations for installation within the sub-watersheds were suggested for Jhajjar district. If the suggested watershed development and management plan will be implemented in Jhajjar district, it will provide in-situ solutions to groundwater quality problems as well as helpful in the sustainable development of the groundwater resources of the study area. newline