Journal of Environmental Biology

Hydrogeochemical quality and suitability studies of groundwater

in northern Bangladesh

M.J. Islam¹, M.A. Hakim^1,2*, M.M. Hanafi², Abdul Shukor Juraimi³, Sharmin Aktar¹, Aysha Siddiqa¹,

A.K.M. Shajedur Rahman¹, M. Atikul Islam¹ and M. A. Halim⁴ 

¹Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh

²Department of Land Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

³Department of Crop Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

⁴Department of Soil Science, Soil Resources Development Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ahakimupm@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

29 April 2013

Revised received:

20 November 2013

Re-revised received:

24 December 2013

Accepted:

31 December 2013

Abstract

Agriculture, rapid urbanization and geochemical processes have direct or indirect effects on the chemical composition of groundwater and aquifer geochemistry. Hydro-chemical investigations, which are significant for assessment of water quality, were carried out to study the sources of dissolved ions in groundwater of Dinajpur district, northern Bangladesh. The groundwater samplish were analyzed for physico-chemical properties like pH, electrical conductance, hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids and Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, CO₃^2-, HCO₃^-, SO₄^2- and Cl^- ions, respectively. Based on the analyses, certain parameters like sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, potential salinity, residual sodium carbonate, Kelly's ratio, permeability index and Gibbs ratio were also calculated. The results showed that the groundwater of study area was fresh, slightly acidic (pH 5.3-6.4) and low in TDS (35-275 mg l^-1). Ground water of the study area was found suitable for irrigation, drinking and domestic purposes, since most of the parameters analyzed were within the WHO recommended values for drinking water. High concentration of NO₃^- and Cl^- was reported in areas with extensive agriculture and rapid urbanization. Ion-exchange, weathering, oxidation and dissolution of minerals were major geochemical processes governing the groundwater evolution in study area. Gibb's diagram showed that all the samples fell in the rock dominance field. Based on evaluation, it is clear that groundwater quality of the study area was suitable for both domestic and irrigation purposes. 

Key words

Aquifer, Hydro geochemistry, Ion-exchange, Water suitability, Weathering

Copyright ? 2014 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).