Evaluation of long-term nitrate and electrical conductivity in groundwater system of Peninsula, India

We have investigated the impact of rainfall and temperature on nitrate and electrical conductivity (EC) in groundwater of the seven taluks of Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, India using statistical framework. Total 34 years long-term data of period 1985-2018 of nitrate and EC was used for the analysis in order to identify impact of climate parameters over agrichemicals loading in groundwater. It was found that pattern of climatic parameters are also act as co-factors for loading of agrichemicals concentration in groundwater. Result show an increase of average temperature and rainfall and it does not show a direct effect on nitrate contamination in groundwater. Further, two taluk, namely Chengalpattu and Tirukalukundram have an increasing trend of nitrate loading in groundwater during non-monsoon and monsoon season due to change in land use and anthropogenic acts. The EC show rising trend for Maduranthakam and Sriperumbudur during non-monsoon season and Chengalpattu, Maduranthakam, Sriperumbudur and Tirukalukundram during monsoon season.

Automated summary

The impact of rainfall and temperature on nitrate and electrical conductivity in groundwater was investigated in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. Climate parameters were found to act as co-factors for the concentration of agrichemicals in groundwater. Some areas showed an increasing trend in nitrate loading and electrical conductivity, attributed to changes in land use and anthropogenic activities.