Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Bundelkhand, India Using Statistical Approach

Hydrochemical study of groundwater is useful for determining its suitability for drinking, industrial, and agricultural purposes. In this study, chemical analysis of the groundwater and soil samples has been carried out in Bundelkhand region, where The Government of India is planning to link Ken and Betwa Rivers through a man-made canal. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of groundwater quality parameters produced five significant components, explaining the 71.04 % cumulative variance. The chemical composition of the groundwater and soil enables the hydro-chemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, and the factors controlling groundwater quality. The results show that the major geochemical processes occurring in the region are weathering, ion-exchange, oxidation-reduction, and dissolution. The hydrochemistry of the groundwater of this region seems to be influenced by local anthropogenic activities as the concentrations of fluoride and nitrate were observed to be high at some places. It is expected that with this project development, habitat loss, change in downstream morphology, change in downstream water quality (because of the disturbance in the current surface water budget in both of the rivers and its surrounding areas) etc. will be some of the consequences.