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Assessing Groundwater Pollution for Irrigation in Puthia Upazila, Rajshahi

A. Islam
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

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

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Groundwater samples were collected from Puthia upazila under the district of Rajshahi to determine ionic concentration as pollutant in order to classify them on the basis of their suitability for irrigation usage. Water samples were slightly alkaline (pH = 7.10-7.24) and were not problematic for crop production. TDS of all water samples were classified as fresh water (TDS<1,000 mg L^-1). EC and SAR showed medium salinity (C2) and low alkalinity (S1) hazards combinedly expressed as C2S1. EC values of the collected water samples were in medium salinity hazard and could be safely used for crops growing on soils with moderate level of permeability and leaching. SAR values were excellent in quality for irrigating soils and crops. Out of 15 water samples, 12 samples were classified as excellent and the rest 3 samples were rated as good in quality based on SSP. Waters were free from RSC and belonged to suitable in category. All water samples were hard in quality. The concentrations of HCO₃, Fe, Mn, BO₃, SO₄, PO₄ and Cl were below the toxic levels as irrigation water and might not pose threat to soil environment as pollutants. The relationship between different water quality criteria like EC, TDS, SAR, SSP, RSC and HT were established and combinations such as EC vs TDS, EC vs RSC, EC vs HT, SAR vs SSP, SSP vs RSC SSP vs HT and RSC vs HT exhibited significant positive correlation.

Keywords: Groundwater, Pollution and irrigation

Location: Bhalukgachhi, Shilmaria, Puthia, Baneshwar, Belpukuria and Jeopara under Puthia upazila of Rajshahi district

Start Date: 11-03-2013

End Date: 10-04-2013

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

1. To determine ionic concentration as pollutant in order to classify them on the basis of their suitability for irrigation usage.

Methodology:

Water sampling: Groundwater sampling sites consisted of six unions viz., Bhalukgachhi, Shilmaria, Puthia, Baneshwar, Belpukuria and Jeopara under Puthia upazila of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh. Exactly 15 water samples were randomly collected from tube wells of the investigated area during 11 March to 10 April, 2013 following the sampling techniques. The depth of tube wells ranged from 49.0 to 55.0 m and the duration of irrigation usage was from 5 to 12 years. During sampling, all water samples were colorless, odorless, tasteless and also free from turbidity. All water samples were filtered and tightly sealed immediately to avoid air exposure and thereafter, analyzed. Water analysis: pH and EC values were determined electrometrically. The amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) was measured by evaporating water samples to dryness. Ca and Mg were estimated by EDTA titrimetric method while the concentrations of K and Na were determined by flame photometric method. Chloride was analyzed by titrimetric method and CO3 and HCO3 were determined by titrimetric method. The concentrations of BO3 and PO4 were determined by spectrophotometric method and SO4 was determined by turbidimertic method. Fe and Mn contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrometric method. Water pollution rating: The following chemical parameters generated from the analytical results were considered for judging the pollution of groundwater. (i) Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = Na⁺ ÷ [√{(Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) ÷ 2}], (ii) Soluble sodium percentage (SSP) = {(Na^{+ +} K⁺) ÷ (Ca²^{+ +} Mg²⁺⁺ Na⁺⁺K⁺)} × 100, (iii) Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) = (CO₃²^- + HCO₃^-) – (Ca²^{+ +} Mg²⁺), (iv) Hardness (HT) = 2.5 × Ca²^{+ +} 4.1 × Mg²⁺, Where, ionic concentrations were expressed as me L^-1 but in hardness, cationic concentrations were expressed as mg L^-1. Statistical analysis: The statistical analyses were done following the standard method as mentioned by Gomez and Gomez.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 8 (2): 167-170, 2014; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is concluded from the above findings that all groundwater samples could be safely applied for irrigation without any hazardous impacts on crops growing on soils with moderate level of permeability and leaching in the investigated area.

Knowledge Management: Journal