GIS-based Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Water in Shahabad Block of Kurukshetra District, India

Abstract

Present study on the assessment of underground water quality for irrigation purpose in different    villages of Shahabad block of Kurukshetra district of Haryana was carried out during 2023-2024 to get a comprehensive picture of the groundwater quality for irrigation purposes of the area. Total 64 underground water samples were collected and analyzed for various chemical parameters i.e. EC, pH, dominated cations and anions.  Irrigation water parameters such as RSC, SAR, were also computed in the water samples. The EC, pH, RSC and SAR of the groundwater ranged from 0.46-1.83 dSm-1, 7.31 to 8.80, 0.00 - 4.85 meq L-1 and 2.37-12.81 (mmol L-1)1/2, respectively. The trend among the mean ionic concentration of anions was found to be in the order of Cl- > HCO3 > SO42- > CO32- and likewise mean ionic concentration of the cations was in the order Na+> Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ showing the dominance of chloride ions among anions and sodium ion among cations in the irrigation water.  This study conducted in Shahbad block of Kurukshetra district in Haryana had the outcome that 95.7 and 6.25 per cent samples were found good and marginally alkali respectively as per AICRP, 1989 criteria. Spatial variability maps of EC, SAR and RSC of ground water used for irrigation in the block were also prepared. Marginally alkali irrigation (6.25 %) water in Shahabad block may be used with recommended amount of gypsum based on RSC of the water along with the irrigation water. Thus, the current study suggests to safely use 6.25% of marginally alkali irrigation water with certain amendments and strategic measure so we may prevent the ill effects of alkali water on soil for long run and we may achieve the goal of sustainable agriculture production.