Application of water quality index and chemometric methods on contamination assessment in the shallow aquifer, Ganges River basin, India.

Water quality index and chemometric methods were employed to assess the groundwater quality and contamination sources in the upper Ganges basin (UGB) and lower Ganges basin (LGB) as groundwater is a sole source for drinking, domestic and agricultural uses. Groundwater samples were collected from UGB (n = 44) and LGB (n = 26) and analysed for physicochemical parameters. Groundwater in this basin is desirable (51%) to permissible (TDS < 1000 mg/l, 96%) classes for drinking. Chemical constituents in the groundwater are lower than the maximum allowable limit recommended by the WHO for drinking except K. Drinking water quality index (DWQI) values reveal that groundwater belongs to excellent (89%) and good (10%) classes. However, the high concentrations of Fe and Mn in 61 and 77% of samples, respectively, restrict the usage for drinking according to USEPA recommendations. Both LGB and UGB groundwater in shallow wells have elevated concentration of TDS, EC and other ions (Ca, Cl and SO in LGB; major ions, NO, PO, F, Fe and Mn in UGB) and imply the influences of anthropogenic activities. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis reiterated that groundwater quality is affected by the anthropogenic activities as well as mineral dissolutions (carbonate and silicate minerals). This study highlighted that the infiltration of wastewater from various contamination sources likely triggered the dissolution of the minerals in the vadose zone that resulted in the accumulation of ions in the shallow aquifer. An effective management plan is essential to protect this shallow aquifer.