J. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 5 (2023) 1160 Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences Physico-Chemical and Trace Metal Analysis in Groundwater of Nagapattinam Region in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu State C. Gopia,∗, Edward Anand Ea, A. Charlesa, C. Manivannanb, S. Ponsadai lakshmia, A. Josea, M. Muthiyanc aDepartment of Science and Humanities, E.G.S. Pillay Engineering College, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India. bDepartment of Chemistry, puducherry Technological University, Puducherry, India. c Research Scholar, Department of Chemistry, E.G.S. Pillay Arts & Science College, Nagapattinam, India. Abstract The aim of the present work is to find the quality of water in and around the Nagapattinam region and geochemical study of water and its chemical composition with qualitative and quantitatively assessed from the period of post monsoon ( January) in the year 2020. Therefore, ten underground water sample were taken from different areas in Nagapattinam region and analysed for the following qualities such as Color, odour, temperature, Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, Hydrogen ion Concentration, calcium, magnesium, chloride, potassium, sodium, nitrate, and sulphate and trace metals like manganese, lead, chromium, copper, iron, arsenic, cadmium and zinc. The physico chemical parameters indicate the quality of ground water varies from bore well to bore well. Higher values of any parameter in a borehole indicate that the water is not fit for drinking. Therefore, the public is advised that the groundwater source in the study area should be monitored before it is used for domestic and drinking water purposes and that the government should adopt some treatment technology in the current study regions to minimize the hardness and salinity for provide safe water to the public. DOI:10.46481/jnsps.2023.1160 Keywords: Nagapattinam, Ground water, Monsoon, Physico-chemical parameters Article History : Received: 31 October 2022 Received in revised form: 05 January 2023 Accepted for publication: 10 January 2023 Published: 12 March 2023 c© 2023 The Author(s). Published by the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Communicated by: Dr. K. Sakthipandi 1. Introduction Groundwater plays an important role in the ecological func- tions of various ecosystems. Due to human activities, the groundwater system provides proper circulation for water recir- culation; Water is being abused and contaminated in ordinary ∗Corresponding author tel. no: +91 9994648947 Email address: gopi@egspec.org (C. Gopi ) conceivable. This pollution causes water quality to decline. Half of the groundwater used in metropolitan areas in devel- oping countries comes from wells and boreholes, and many in India rely on these resources. Contamination of heavy met- als with its surrounding could be a major world concern, as a result of toxicity and threat to human life and ecosystem [1]. Heavy metals are superimposed with water system from artifi- cial and natural sources [2]. Water quality is more important than quantity in any water. Groundwater’s physical and chemi- 1 C. Gopi et al. / J. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 5 (2023) 1160 2 cal qualities support its use as a source of water for municipal, agricultural, and domestic purposes [3]. Nagapattinam district is a part of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, forming parts of the Cauvery River basins and Vennar sub-basins. Geograph- ically, the district lies between latitudes 10◦46′16′′ and longi- tudes 79◦50′50′′78 as shown in Figure 1. From June to Septem- ber starts south west monsoon and north east monsoon begins from October till January. Low rain fall observed in southwest period [4] from march to may summer start and end. It is one of the state’s fastest growing cities, rapid urbanization and indus- try. Groundwater supplies have been put under a lot of strain as a result of urbanization. In the major part of the state, depth of the water level in pre-monsoon may 2019 is 2-5 m bgl and post monsoon January 2020 is greater than 2-5 m bgl shown in Figure 2. 2. Materials and Methods In the post-monsoon period of 2020, water samples were taken from ten sample points in Nagapattinam and the sur- rounding area (January) in the depth of 40 Ft. APHA [5] was used to collect and analyze the samples. For drinking water, all of the settlements in the research region rely on ground- water. During the collecting and handling of the samples, all precautions were taken. Polyethylene containers were used to collect groundwater samples. The pH, electrical conductiv- ity was determined on the spot using digital equipments after sampling. Water samples were analyzed for chemical parame- ters such Total Dissolved Solid, Electrical Conductivity, Hydro- gen ion Concentration, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulfate and trace metals like Iron, Manganese, Chromium, Cop- per, Lead, Zinc and Cadmium. Figure 1: Location Map of Study Area 3. Results and Discussion Table 1 lists the locations of ground water sampling sta- tions in the research region. The analytical results of physical and chemical parameters of ground water were compared to the world health organizations 1985 standard guideline values for drinking and public health objectives Table 2. Figure 2: Peizometric surface data for Pre Monsoon and Post Monsoon Seasons Table 1: Details of ground water sampling stations in the study area S/N Sampling stations Sample ID Source of water 1 Kadambanoor S1 Bore well 2 Sengamangalam S2 Bore well 3 Palaiyur S3 Bore well 4 Boothangudi S4 Bore well 5 Nagoore S5 Bore well 6 Nagapattinam S6 Bore well 7 Sikkal S7 Bore well 8 Pappakovil S8 Bore well 9 North Poigainallur S9 Bore well 10 South Poigainallur S10 Bore well Table 2: WHO and BIS Standard of Drinking water Parameters WHO (48) (2011) BIS 2012 (49) Study Area Samples Permissible limit Permissible limit Min-Max (mg/L) pH 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.7 EC 500-1500 - 590-1100 TDS 500-1500 500-2000 538-956 TH 100-500 200-600 246-722 Calcium 75-200 75-200 110-532 Magnesium 30-150 30 66-103 Magnesium 30-150 30 66-103 Sodium 50-200 - 86-180 Potassium 10-Dec - 0.98-3.08 Chloride 250-600 250-1000 154-386 Bi carbonate 200-500 - 241-624 Sulphate 250-400 200-400 53-89 Phosphate - - 1.1-3.8 Nitrate 45 - 14-19 3.1. pH and Electrical Conductivity pH is a measurement of a solution’s acidity or felicity. It is defined as the co (H+) Hydrogen ion activity coefficient, which 2 C. Gopi et al. / J. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 5 (2023) 1160 3 Table 3: Physico-Chemical data of drinking water quality parameters of groundwater samples Sample pH EC Ca2+ Mg2+ Na+ K+ Cl− HCO−3 SO 2− 4 NO − 3 PO 3− 4 TDS TH SAR S-1 6.8 600 350 96 180 1.1 289 256 82 14 1.1 742 615 53 S-2 7.8 700 270 82 155 1.37 352 289 78 15 3.2 853 262 56.9 S-3 7.3 850 327 103 114 1.27 262 456 73 15 2.8 924 551 61.6 S-4 8.7 590 220 92 126 0.98 275 241 89 16 3.1 950 246 59.4 S-5 6.5 1100 233 71 86 1.63 386 250 84 19 3.8 920 316 48.4 S-6 7.3 863 310 72 165 2.08 352 624 85 17 3.4 781 444 45.9 S-7 6.6 846 352 102 131 1.91 240 375 53 18 3.2 732 492 40.7 S-8 8.6 978 110 66 132 1.91 258 425 67 16 2.2 538 258 33.6 S-9 6.7 1005 402 75 172 3.08 154 562 72 19 2.1 676 535 35.6 S-10 7.5 630 532 98 124 1.64 356 342 83 19 2.6 956 722 50.3 Mini. 6.5 590 110 66 86 0.98 154 241 53 14 1.1 538 246 33.6 Maxi. 8.7 1100 532 103 180 3.08 386 624 89 19 3.8 956 722 61.6 Table 4: Correlation co- efficient values between the water quality parameters of groundwater samples in the study area during Monsoon 2020 Correlation Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+ Cl− HCO−3 SO 2− 4 PO 3− 4 NO − 3 pH EC TDS Ca++ 1 Mg++ 0.106 1 Na+ -0.374 -0.07 1 K+ 0.0131 -0.29 0.497 1 Cl− -0.032 -0.11 -0.35 -0.68 1 HCO−3 -0.087 -0.31 0.367 0.573 -0.37 1 SO2−4 -0.445 -0.17 0.002 -0.24 0.556 -0.24 1 PO3−4 -0.251 -0.17 -0.6 -0.53 0.481 0.001 0.007 1 NO−3 0.228 -0.23 -0.33 0.41 -0.01 0.231 -0.11 0.386 1 pH -0.03 -0.26 -0.03 -0.14 0.121 -0.11 0.45 -0.06 -0.4 1 EC 0.219 -0.63 -0.31 0.293 -0.17 0.434 -0.35 0.303 0.487 -0.32 1 TDS 0.204 -0.05 -0.48 -0.62 0.537 -0.42 0.57 0.467 0.078 0.044 -0.39 1 can only be calculated theoretically and cannot be measured empirically. The pH scale is a relative scale. It is relative to a set of standard solution which pH is established by international agreement. The pH level varied from 6.5 to 8.7. The maximum value found at S-4 and minimum value is mainly basic in na- ture [6]. The variation of electrical conductivity is 590 to 1100 µS/cm .In the minimum value found at S-4 and maximum value found at S-5 is within the desirable limit 3.2. Total Dissolved Solids Total dissolved solids (TDS) indicate the salinity behavior of ground water sample. TDS values varied from 538 to 956. If TDS is more than 500 mg/L it is not suitable for drinking [7, 8, 9]. In the present study TDS values are higher than the prescribed limit given by WHO. The TDS concentration “found to be in above permissible limit may be due to the leaching of various pollutants into the ground water which can decrease the portability and this may results gastrointestinal irritation in hu- man and also have laxative effect. High level of total dissolved solids may aesthetically be unsatisfactory for bathing and wash- ing purposes” [10]. The TDS variation indicates a low concen- tration at S-8 and high concentration at S-10. TDS indicates that there is a low concentration of soluble salt in groundwater that is safe to drink. [11, 12, 13]. 3.3. Total Hardness The total hardness values are observed in the range of 246 to 722 mg/L Post Monsoon of 2020. Total hardness values are within the maximum permissible limit of world health organi- zation in all the sample station except S-1 and S-10. This may be due to presence of bicarbonates, chloride and sulphates of Ca and Mg present in the water. The total hardness values are observed in the range of 246 to 722 mg/L Post Monsoon of 2020. Total hardness values are within the maximum permissi- ble limit of world health organization in all the sample station except S-1 and S-10. This may be due to presence of bicarbon- ates, chloride and sulphates of Ca and Mg present in the water. 3.4. Chloride Chloride ion is one the anion present in water and waste water as inorganic compound but chlorine in drinking water does not create harmful even at higher concentration it is harm- less. If the concentration exceeds the maximum permissible limit it produces cathartic effect in the samples chlorine ranges from 154 mg/L to 386 mg/L. lower the concentration at S-9 and higher concentration at S-5. As a result, it has a high concentra- tion in groundwater, where temperatures are high and rainfall is low. The porosity and permeability of the soil also play a role in raising the concentration of chlorides [10]. 3 C. Gopi et al. / J. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 5 (2023) 1160 4 3.5. Nitrate Concentration of nitrogen in groundwater in the range of 14 to 46 mg/L. it shows the site S-3, S-9 and S-10 are found higher concentration and other sites having lower concentration. But WHO limit for drinking water standard is 45 mg/L. Nitrate Con- centration higher than this limit unfit for drinking .The present amount of concentration is mainly due to agricultural activities. The usage of larger quantity of nitrogen containing fertilizer in the land which may cause leaching from the root of the plants, soil and accumulate in water. 3.6. Sulphate In adults, water containing 1000 mg/l magnesium sulphate serves as a purgative. (Bhagavathi Perumal and Thamarai [14, 15]. Sulphate occurring in water due to the municipal and industrial activity nearby discharge. Also human activity is one of the major anthropogenic attribute to runoff and rainfall. Con- centration of sulphate varies from 53 mg/L to 89 mg/L. Low concentration observed at S-7 and high concentration S-4. The maximum permissible limit of sulphate in water is 400 mg/L. 3.7. Phosphate Due to the activities of agriculture and Anthropogenic in- crease the phosphate content in water [16]. The phosphate con- centration observed in the groundwater samples from the study area varied from Below Detection level of 1.1 mg/L. Phosphate found moderately low at many locations. 3.8. Calcium and Magnesium The desirable quantity of calcium is 75mg/L. The Ca ionic concentration found low as 110 mg/L in sample station S-8 (532 mg/L at S-10) was observed high concentration but the permis- sible limit of calcium for water 200 mg/L. Except S-8 all other samples show above permissible limit. Due to low dissolution of magnesium the concentration is less in ground water than calcium [17]. The magnesium concentration is ranges from 66 to 103 mg/L where higher assessment found at S-3 and lower value found at sample station S-8. The acceptable limit of mag- nesium in water is 150mg/L. 3.9. Sodium and Potassium There is no guideline proposed for potassium ion but the concentration of sodium is ranges from 86 to 180 mg/L. S-9 and S-6 are found in maximum and minimum concentration respectively Also, the concentration of sodium in ground water influences more in agricultural activity. 3.10. Iron Iron is the essential element for the organism. it occurs nat- urally in the environment as its ore like hematite. It acts as the central metal atom in the hemoglobin and transport the oxygen in the blood through organs. The deficiency of iron create ane- mia. The prescribed limit of iron content in drinking water is 0.30 mg/L by WHO. In the present study area, the maximum value is 0.26 and minimum value is 0.01.The iron content of the entire sample found Below Detection Limit (BDL). 3.11. Manganese Manganese is the most abundant metals recover from earth crust in the form of oxides and hydroxides. It behaves as trace element and toxic metal due to the industrial activity, soil ero- sion, volcanic eruption, and human activity which increase the contaminant in ground water which change the odor and taste of the water also deposit within the pipes may break or form black precipitate. The allowable limit of manganese in ground water is 0.4 mg/L but in the present study area the maximum value is 0.08 and minimum value is 0. The manganese content of the entire sample found Below Detection Limit. All the samples found below permissible limit. 3.12. Chromium Chromium is one of the most abundant heavy metal in na- ture it occur in the combined state but it exist as trivalent as well as hexavalent in nature as trace. It acts as removal of glu- cose from blood. But hexavalent chromium causes allergic re- action on human. Tannin and paint industry discharge most of the chromium in ground. WHO has prescribed 0.05mg/L as prescribed limit. Present study all the samples found Below Detection Limit (BDL). 3.13. Lead Lead is a toxic heavy metal which is present in the natural environment but due to the human and industrial activity the concentration of lead increases day by day. It passes to envi- ronment through the vehicular exhaust and may causes serious health problem to child hood below six years. It also causes blood pressure, kidney damage [18]. In this study all the sam- ples are found below the detection level. 3.14. Copper Copper is one of the common heavy metal found in environ- ment. It enters into groundwater through agricultural wastes, pesticides; industrial waste and it create corrosion on pipes. it is the essential element for human health but high concentration copper in drinking water give liver and kidney damage. The ac- ceptable limit of copper in ground water is 2 mg/L as prescribed by WHO. In the present study area the maximum value is 0.04 and minimum value is 0.01. The copper content of the entire sample found Below Detection Limit (BDL). 3.15. Zinc Zinc is an essential trace element. It enters into water on location ore are found. Lack of zinc in drinking water results slow growth and diarrhea in children, wounds not heal fastly, suppress the immune system with treating the cold and infec- tion in ear, also preventing low respiratory infections. It may be found in excess due to industrial activity, galvanic industry, and battery production industry. From this is observed to avoid larger quantities of nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizer in agri- cultural lands. This creates the awareness towards excess use of pesticide [19]. The adverse effect of zinc toxicity is stom- ach aches; vomiting, fever and diarrhea. All of the samples in this investigation were found to be under the WHO’s permitted level of 3 mg/L. 4 C. Gopi et al. / J. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 5 (2023) 1160 5 3.16. Cadmium Cadmium is the commonly found metal in the world as ores of carbonate, sulphide and zinc. It naturally occurs in envi- ronment from the fertilizer, polluted ground water and sewage sludge, mining and effluents from industry. Anemia, bron- chitis are the adverse effect shown when cadmium concentra- tion higher than the permissible limit. WHO has prescribed 0.003mg/L as the permissible limit. In the current study sample are found below Detection Level (BDL). 4. Statistical Studies Correlation Studies Correlation coefficient is the mutual relationship between the two factors. The direct correlation exists when increase in the value of one parameter is associated with other param- eter. The positive correlation observed only when increase in one parameter causes the increase in the other parameter vice versa” [20]. The correlated coefficients between varieties of water quality parameters are measured using the Table 4. The correlation co-efficient ‘r’ was calculated using the equation r = n (Σxy) − (Σx) (Σy)√[ nΣx2 − (Σx)2 ][ nΣy2 − (Σy)2 ] (1) The value of the correlation coefficient (r) ranges between +1 and -1. If the value ranges from +0.8 to 1.0 and -0.8 to -1.0 has characteristic the parameter is strongly, the value +0.5 to 0.8 and -0.5 to -0.8 has the characteristic the parameter is moderately and the value ranges from +0.00 to 0.5 and -0.00 to -0.5.(13) as the characteristic the parameter is weakly. The strong positive correlation of TDS (0.537), (0.57) with chloride and sulphite. Weak correlation of TDS (0.24), (0.467), (0.0078) and (0.044) with calcium, phosphate, Nitrate and pH. The Correlation coefficient of EC with calcium, potassium, Bicarbonate, phosphate, Nitrate. pH is weakly correlated with sulphate (0.45). The Correlation coefficient of nitrate is posi- tively correlated with calcium, potassium (0.41) and phosphate. Phosphate is weakly correlated with chloride (0.481).Bicarbon- ate and sulphates are positively correlated with sodium. Potas- sium (0.131) and magnesium (0.106) are strongly correlated with calcium. From the result most of the ion positively cor- related with NO3-. This may be due to increase in agriculture activity, animal, human and poor drainage waste. 5. Conclusion Groundwater in and around Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam district, is firm, fresh, and alkaline in character, according to physicochemical investigations. The parameters like, Magne- sium, Sodium, phosphate, sulphate, Potassium, Electrical con- ductivity, Nitrate, Total dissolved solids (TDS), and chloride re- sults within the allowable limit. Water chemistry signifies that higher EC and TDS shown in nearby costal region prescribe saline water traces. Almost most of the parameters showed higher values like Calcium, pH, total hardness. Higher val- ues of Total hardness and pH indicate saline water intrusion in the particular area. S1, S3, S9 and S10 location requires some treatment for minimization of those parameters. It may be due to increase in prominent people habits and the pollutants may leach inside the ground water. The majority of parameters were reported less than the allowable limit. The low concen- tration of ions in the sample does not give any adverse effect for utilize the water for house hold and drinking purposes. Ex- cept S1, S3, S9 and S10 all other sample in the present region suitable for drinking purposes. Trace metal contamination in the present study area showed that S1 to S10 below the per- missible limit. Statistical Application carried out by using the correlation analysis indicates that EC, Dissolved Solids, Cal- cium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine, Nitrate and Phosphate are the dominant ions in the study area due to the leaching of fertilizer impact [21]. 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