Characterisation of groundwater chemistry in an eastern coastal area of Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

The groundwater quality detoriation due to various geochemical processes like saline water intrusion, evaporation and interaction of groundwater with brines is a serious problem in coastal environments. Understanding the geochemical evolution is important for sustainable development of water resources. A detailed investigation was carried out to evaluate the geochemical processes regulating groundwater quality in Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu, India. The area is entirely underlined by sedimentary formations, which include sandstone, clay, alluvium, and small patches of laterite soils of tertiary and quaternary age. Groundwater samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for major ions. The electrical conductivity (EC) value ranged from 962 to 11,824 mu S/cm, with a mean of 2802 mu S/cm. The hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in the study area starts from Mg-HCO3 type to Na-Cl type indicating the cation exchange reaction along with seawater intrusion. The Br/Cl ratio indicates the evaporation source for the ion. The Na/Cl ratios indicate groundwater is probably controlled by water-rock interaction, most likely by derived from the weathering of calcium-magnesium silicates. The plot of (Ca+Mg) versus HCO3 suggests ions derived from sediment weathering. The plot of Na+K over Cl reflects silicate weathering along with precipitation. Gibbs plot indicates the dominant control of rock weathering. Factor analysis indicates dominance of salt water intrusion, cation-exchange and anthropogenic phenomenon in the study.