A Comparative Study on Hydrogeochemistry of Ken and Betwa Rivers of Bundelkhand Using Statistical Approach

In this paper, we have studied the comparative hydrogeochemistry of the Ken and Betwa Rivers of Bundelkhand area, considering the importance of the Ken-Betwa River linking project (KBLP) in India. Factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) has been done to identify the highly correlated and interrelated water-quality parameters. All the physico-chemical parameters for both rivers are within the highest desirable or maximum permissible limit set byWHO (World Health Organization) except some anions viz. NO3-, Cl-, SO42- and F- at some sampling points. The Ken River showed a high spatial variability and significant ionic concentration due to the higher geological and pedological watershed richness as well as absence of pollution from anthropogenic point sources. The Betwa River showed a low spatial variability and higher mineralization due to the anthropogenic point sources that exist downstream. This preliminary study shows the spatiotemporal variability of the hydrogeochemical parameters of the Ken-Betwa River basin.