56 International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 03, No. 01, February 2010, pp. 56-61

Degradation of Quality of Groundwater in Paradeep

Area, Jagatsinghpur District, Orissa, India
H. K. SAHOO and P. MOHAPATRA
P.G.Department of Geology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar – 751004 (Orissa)
Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Hydrogeochemical studies in and around Paradeep of Jagatsinghpur district of

Orissa indicate that groundwater in some localities is not fit for drinking with respect to
certain chemical parameters such as pH, TDS, TH, Ca, Mg, Cl and SO4. The groundwater is
not suitable also for irrigation in some localities. Relative concentrations of certain chemical
constituents such as Mg/Ca, TA/TH, Na/Cl, Cl/(HCO3 + CO3) and base exchange index
indicate saline water intrusion into coastal aquifers in some areas. In the absence of any
large scale industrial pollution in the area, the degradation of groundwater quality can be
attributed to the effect of saline water ingress into the coastal aquifers.
Keywords: Sea water intrusion, Base exchange index, Hard water

Introduction: proportion of organic matter are also found

in the area.
The area of study (Fig.1) is around Paradeep
The area of study is located in the lower part
in Jagatsinghpur District of Orissa lying at a
of Mahanadi delta. The part of the delta
distance of 120 km from Bhubaneswar, the
lying close to the present coast shows
capital city of Orissa. It lies between the
evidences of its formation both by fluvial
latitudes 86038’ and 86045’ and longitudes
and marine environments. The southern and
20015’ and 20018’ in the Survey of India
southeastern part of the area is occupied by
Toposheet number 73 L/13. The area lies
low lying swampy to marshy land whereas
adjacent to the Bay of Bengal and is famous
other areas are mostly flat plains.
for a large port and industrial complexes
To study the quality of groundwater and
such as PPL, which is a Fertilizer plant. The
degree of degradation of the quality of
area of study is the lower part of the
groundwater in the Paradeep area, 15 water
Mahanadi delta formed by major river
samples (10 from tube wells and 5 from dug
Mahanadi and its tributaries. It can also be
wells) were collected in November 2005.
divided into two sub-zones one close to the
Physical parameters such as pH. TDS,
sea and the other one in-land away from the
conductance were determined in the spot
coast. The inland part of the plain is
whereas other chemical parameters were
characterized by low-lying wet plains, fine
determined in the laboratory as per the
grained sediments, tidal creeks etc. Hukitola
standard procedure laid down by
is the most important lagoon along the sea
APHA(1989), Brown et al.(1971), Trivedy
margin.
and Goel(1984) and Vogel(1964). The
The area enjoys sub-tropical monsoon
results of the analysis are presented in Table
climate with annual rainfall of about 1692
– 1 and Table – 2.
mm. Due to the proximity of the area to the
sea, it is neither very cold in winter nor very Hydrogeochemistry:
hot in summer. Wave deposited sediments
The pH of the groundwater of the area
form Beaches and beach dunes. The soils
varies from 7.2 to 8.59(8.01 to 8.59 in dug
found in beach, upper and lower flood
wells and 7.2 to 8.4 in tube wells) indicating
plains, tidal flats, tidal swamps are coarse
that the water of the shallow aquifers are
sandy soil, coarse loamy soil, fine loamy
more alkaline than that of the deeper
soil, clayey soil, organic soil etc. Sometimes-
aquifers. The ground water samples have
abnormal saline soil with excessive salt
higher conductance and TDS values varying
content and organic soil with higher
from 503 to 5250 micro S/ cm and 322 mg/l

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 Degradation of Quality of Groundwater in Paradeep Area, 57
Jagatsinghpur District, Orissa, India

to 3360 mg/l respectively. The total Carbonate (RSC) etc. were calculated. On
alkalinity (TA) of the water samples varies the basis of SAR, most of the water samples
from 315 mg/l to 1065 mg/l, which is quite are classified as “excellent to good” for
high. The total hardness (TH) varies from irrigation but few are of “medium to bad”
205 mg/l to 465 mg/l and most of the water category. With respect to percent sodium
samples can be classified as “very hard”. (% Na), most of the water samples are
The calcium concentrations of the ground unsuitable for irrigation since the value is
water samples can be classified as more than 80 %. With respect to Potential
moderately high which varies from 40 mg/l Soil Salinity, 5 samples can be classified as
to 138 mg/l. The Mg concentration varies “excellent to good” (<5 epm), 6 samples
significantly from 5 mg/l to 68 mg/l. Among “good to injurious” (5-10 epm) and 4
the cations, almost all the samples have samples “injurious to unsatisfactory” (>10
highest concentrations of Na, which varies epm). Since all the ground water samples of
from 390 mg/l to 921 mg/l. The K the area have RSC values less than 1.25
concentration of the water samples is also epm, they can be classified as “good” for
high varying from 64 mg/l to 444 mg/l. The irrigation. The plotting of data in U.S.Salinity
HCO3 concentrations of the ground water diagram (Richards, 1954) where EC is
samples vary from 73 mg/l to 427 mg/l. The plotted against SAR, the water samples can
SO4 concentrations vary from 17 mg/l to be classified as “Moderate waters” and “Bad
203 mg/l. The maximum variation is water” (Fig. 2). Similarly when EC is plotted
however seen with respect to Cl, which against % Na in the Wilcox diagram (1955)
varies from 20 mg/l to 1140 mg/l. most of the plots fall in the field of
“permissible to doubtful” and “doubtful to
Hydrogeochemical Evaluation:
unsuitable” and one plot in “unsuitable” field
On the basis of the classification of TDS (Fig.3).
suggested by Winslow and Kister(1956), the Since the area lies close to the sea, certain
groundwater of the area can be classified as chemical parameters were studied to
nonsaline(< 1000mg/l) to slightly interpret the effect of saline water intrusion
saline(1000 – 3000 mg/l). The groundwater into the coastal aquifers containing fresh
can be classified as hard (150 – 300 mg/l) water. Such parameters include ratio of
to very hard (>.300 mg/l). With respect to Mg/Ca, TA/TH, Na/Cl, Cl/(CO3+HCO3) and
Indian drinking water quality standards (ISI, Base Exchange indices, which is given in
1983), 2 samples have pH values more than Table-2. The Mg/Ca ratio varies from 0.02 to
the highest desirable range whereas with 1.7 and exceeds 0.9 only once, which might
respect to TDS, 12 samples have values be due to the saline water ingress (Hem,
more than the highest desirable range. Most 1985). The TA/TH ratio is less than unity in
of the samples (10) have TH values more two samples, which might be the result of
than 300 mg/l and are not suitable for seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers. In
drinking. With respect to cations, normal hydrological cycle Na/Cl ratio varies
concentrations of calcium is high in most of from 0.86 to 1.00 but in groundwater
the samples which is higher than the highest samples of the present area (13 out of 15),
desirable range of 75 mg/l. Chloride this value is usually high. This indicates ion
concentrations are also higher than the exchange in which Cl is absorbed into the
highest desirable range in most cases but in aquifer material indicating effects of
one sample it is more than the maximum seawater contamination. Among the anions
permissible range. It can be concluded that Cl and (HCO3+ CO3) indicate two different
most of the ground water samples of the environments such as seawater and
area are not suitable for drinking and can be groundwater respectively. Hence the ratio Cl
used with proper evaluation. To classify the /(HCO3 +CO3) is used to interpret seawater
groundwater for irrigation, various intrusion. In the water samples of the area
parameters such as Sodium Adsorption this value varies from 0.33 to 9.41 and in
Ratio (SAR), percent sodium(% Na), most of the samples excess of chloride over
Potential Soil Salinity (PS), Residual Sodium bicarbonate is seen. On the basis of the

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 03, No. 01, February 2010, pp. 56-61
 58 H. K. SAHOO and P. MOHAPATRA

values given by Simpson (1946) for References:

Cl/(HCO3 +CO3), 3 samples of the area can [1] APHA(American Public Health
be classified as slightly contaminated Association)(1985) Standard Methods for
groundwater (0.05 to 1.30); 5 samples as the examination of water and
moderately contaminated groundwater wastewater. 17th Edn, 1134p.
(1.30 to 2.80) and the rest (7) are within [2] Brown,E.,Skougstad,M.W.and Fishman,
the range of “injuriously contaminated M.J.(1974) Methods for collection and
groundwater”. Schoeller (1959) proposed analysis of water samples for dissolved
Base Exchange Index (BEI= {Cl- minerals and gases, U.S.Dept. of
(Na+K)}/Cl) to interpret effect of sea water Interior, Book no.5, 160p.
intrusion. The BEI values of the water [3] Hem, J. D.(1985) Study and inter-
samples of the area are mostly negative pretation of chemical characteristics of
indicating release of alkalis from the aquifers natural water, USGS, Water supply
material. Positive values in some cases paper, 2254, 264p.
indicate involvement of K and Na in the ion [4] ISI(Indian Standard Institution) (1983)
exchange process. Indian standard specifications for
drinking Water, IS:10500
Conclusion:
[5] Richards, L.A.(1954) Diagenesis and
The hydrogeochemical evaluation of improvement of saline and alkaline soils,
Paradeep area reveals that the groundwater U.S.Dept. Agriculture Handbook,60,
in some of the localities contain certain 160p.
chemical constituents such as Ca, Mg, SO4, [6] Schoellar, H.(1956)Geochimie des eaux
Cl, TDS, TH etc higher than the highest souterraines, Application aux cauxdes
desirable range of drinking water quality gisements de petrole, Soc. Des editord
standards. Besides, higher concentrations of Technip, Paris.
Na, K, TH, EC etc make the groundwater [7] Simpson, T.R.(1946) Saline basin
unsuitable for irrigation in some locations. investigation, Calif. Div. Water
This necessitates study of groundwater resources, Bull. 52, Sacramento, 230p.
quality before use for various purposes. [8] T`rivedy, R.K. and Goel, P.K.(1984)
Study of various anionic and cationic ratios Chemical and biological methods for
such as Mg/Ca, TA/TH, Na/Cl, water pollution studies, Ist edition, Env.
Cl/(CO3+HCO3) and Base Exchange indices Pub., India.
of groundwater samples indicate that sea [9] Vogel, A.L.(1964) A text book of
water intrusion into the coastal aquifers is qualitative inorganic analysis, 3rd edition,
an important factor of higher concentrations 438p.
of chemical constituents in them. In the [10] Wilcox, L.V.1955) Classification and
absence of any large scale industrial use of irrigation water, USDA circular
pollution in the area of study, the 969,19p.
degradation of groundwater quality could be [11] Winslow, A.G. and Kister,
due to the saline/sea water ingress into the L.R.Jr.(1956) Saline water resources of
aquifers. Texas, U.S.G.S. Water supply
paper,1365, 105p.

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ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 03, No. 01, February 2010, pp. 56-61
 Degradation of Quality of Groundwater in Paradeep Area, 59
Jagatsinghpur District, Orissa, India

Figure 1: Location of the Paradeep area with sample location.

Figure 2: US salinity diagram for classification of irrigational water (after Richards, 1954)
based on EC and SAR.

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 03, No. 01, February 2010, pp. 56-61
 60 H. K. SAHOO and P. MOHAPATRA

Figure 3: Wilcox (1955) diagram for classification of irrigational

water based on EC and % Na.
Table 1: Physicochemical constituents of groundwater of Paradeep area,Orissa
Sl Well
pH EC TDS TA TH Ca Mg Na K HCO3 SO4 Cl
No. type
1 T 8.3 739 473 332 205 43 24 921 64 104 47 120
2 T 7.3 740 474 315 205 63 12 409 99 104 50 140
3 T 7.8 1390 890 500 290 102 45 439 64 165 60 150
4 T 7.2 1600 1024 475 370 95 32 415 70 165 37 215
5 D 8.5 1390 890 645 310 97 16 409 444 159 153 195
6 T 8.4 1930 1235 340 220 77 6 915 441 171 116 110
7 T 8.1 503 322 340 380 70 50 421 96 108 17 20
8 D 8.53 2480 1587 430 340 120 10 409 415 165 203 290
9 T 7.65 2250 1440 430 245 90 5 409 357 128 135 276
10 D 8.01 1420 909 600 380 40 68 671 302 427 43 135
11 D 8.23 4470 2861 1065 405 70 32 409 394 329 201 885
12 T 7.56 1830 1171 505 395 138 13 415 70 329 46 315
13 D 8.59 3150 2016 580 465 128 34 921 406 73 264 395
14 T 7.39 5250 3360 650 315 88 23 409 357 214 51 1140
15 T 7.87 1550 992 600 325 88 02 390 64 128 139 265
All the values are in mg/l except pH and EC (Electrical conductance). EC is in micro S/cm.
T = Tube well, D = Dug well

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ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 03, No. 01, February 2010, pp. 56-61
 Degradation of Quality of Groundwater in Paradeep Area, 61
Jagatsinghpur District, Orissa, India

Table 2: Chemical parameters of groundwater of Paradeep area, Orissa

RSC
Sl. % PS in Mg/ TA/ Na/ Cl/(HCO3
SAR in BEI
No. Na epm Ca TH Cl + CO3)
epm
1 28.0 91.0 3.9 -2.4 0.95 1.62 11.8 1.99 -11.3
2 12.5 83.2 4.5 -1.5 0.31 1.54 4.45 2.40 -4.1
3 11.6 79.0 5.0 -6.2 0.75 2.44 4.40 1.65 -3.8
4 9.3 82.7 6.5 -4.8 0.56 1.28 2.95 2.30 -2.2
5 18.7 94.0 7.1 -6.2 0.27 0.48 3.2 2.10 -4.3
6 18.3 92.1 3.3 -1.6 0.13 1.55 12.8 1.12 -15.5
7 94.4 96.4 0.8 -5.9 1.2 0.89 30.5 0.33 -33.7
8 9.7 79.8 10.4 -4.1 0.13 1.26 2.1 3.07 -2.4
9 11.4 84.6 9.3 -2.8 0.09 1.76 2.3 3.76 -2.4
10 15.0 82.9 4.4 -0.7 2.85 1.58 7.5 0.56 -8.5
11 10.2 81.8 27.4 -0.8 0.77 2.63 0.7 4.69 -0.1
12 10.4 85.4 9.5 -2.6 0.16 1.28 2.0 1.97 -1.2
13 15.9 79.8 14.1 -8.0 0.44 1.25 3.5 9.41 -3.5
14 10.0 81.0 33.2 -3.7 0.64 2.06 0.6 9.31 0.2
15 11.4 80.5 9.1 -2.5 0.05 1.85 2.1 3.62 -1.3
SAR = Sodium Adsorption ratio, % Na = Percent sodium, PS = Potential salinity
RSC = Residual sodium carbonate, BEI = Base Exchange Index
Table 3: ISI (1983) drinking water standard in comparison with the water quality of
Paradeep area
Sl. ISI(1983) Range in the No. of samples
No Parameter Highest Maximum present area beyond highest
. desirable permissible of study desirable range
1 pH 6.5 – 8.5 6.5 - 9.2 7.2 to 8.59 2
2 TDS 500 1500 322 to 3360 12
3 TH 300 600 205 to 465 10
4 Ca 75 200 40 to 138 10
5 Mg 30 100 2 to 68 6
6 Cl 250 1000 20 to 1140 7
7 SO4 150 400 17 to 264 4
All the values are in mg/l except pH.

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 03, No. 01, February 2010, pp. 56-61