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Assessment of Groundwater Pollution and Its Impact on Soil Properties Along with Plant Growth

M. Mokhlesur Rahman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

T.M. Ashadur Rahman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Groundwater samples were collected from 20 tube wells of four unions under Sherpur upazila of Bogra district to assess the extent of their pollution for irrigation in relation to soil properties and plant growth. All waters under test were slight to moderate alkaline in nature except one sample and were not problematic for plant production. With respect to TDS, all waters were rated as fresh water (TDS<1 ,000 mgL^{- 1} in quality. EC and SAR values revealed that waters were of medium salinity (C₂) and low alkalinity (S₁) hazard classes expressed as C₂S₁. Considering EC, all collected waters could be safely used for moderate salt tolerance plants growing on soils with moderate level of permeability and leaching. Groundwater samples were good in quality based on SAR and SSP. All water samples were free from RSC and belonged to suitable in category. Water samples were under moderately hard and hard classes. Bicarbonate was considered as a hazardous ion for irrigating soils and plants continuously. The detected concentrations of Fe, Mn, B, PO and Cl were far below the toxic levels and might not pose threat to soil systems and plant growth for long-term irrigation. The relationships between water quality parameters like EC, TDS, SAR, SSP, RSC and hardness were established. Dominant synergistic relationships were observed between EC-TDS, SAR -SSP, EC- R SC, EC Hardness, TDS-Hardness, SSP-Hardness and RSC-Hardness.

Keywords: Groundwater, Pollution, Irrigation, Soil properties, Plant growth

Location: Four unions viz., Sughat, Mirzapur, Kusumbi and Garidaha under Sherpur upazila of Bogra district

Start Date: 15-01-2006

End Date: 20-07-2006

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Contamination

Objectives:

To assess the concentration of major dissolved ions in order to classify groundwater for predicting its suitability for irrigation in relation to soil properties and plant growth.

Methodology:

Groundwater samples were collected from 20 tube wells at four unions viz., Sughat, Mirzapur, Kusumbi and Garidaha under Sherpur upazila of Bogra district in Bangladesh. The depth of tube wells ranged from 21 to 30 meters and the duration of usage for irrigation was from 3 to 10 years. Water samples were collected from the running tube wells after sufficient pumping following the guidelines as outlined by APHA (1995). The collected water samples were sealed as early as possible to avoid air exposure and thereafter, analyzed immediately. The pH and EC were determined electrometrically (Singh et at., 1999). Total dissolved solid (TDS) was measured by evaporating water samples to dryness (Chopra and Kanwar, 1980). Calcium and magnesium were estimated by EDTA titrimetric method while potassium and sodium were determined by flame photometric method (APHA, 1995). Chloride was analyzed by argentometric method, whereas carbonate and bicarbonate were determined by titrimetric method (Singh et.al., 1999). Azomethine-H method was used for the determination of boron (Sparks, 1996) . Phosphate was determined by colorimetric method and sulfate was analyzed by turbidimertic method (Tandon, 1995). Iron and manganese were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometric method (APHA, 1995).

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Sci. 34(1): 39-44, January, 2007

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is evident from the findings that all groundwater samples could be safely applied for irrigating all plants without any hazardous impacts on soil properties and plant growth. Considering the relevant troublesome parameters, groundwater samples should be treated properly before agricultural utilization in the study area.

Knowledge Management: Journal