Abstract
Assessment of irrigation potential of groundwater in and around Durgapur, West Bengal, India
Author(s): B.Chakraborty, K.Adhikari, A.GangopadhyayDurgapur, West Bengal is characterized by semiarid climate and due to insufficient surface water resources, groundwater is the main source of water supply in this region. In order to evaluate the major suitability of water for irrigation, the chemical characteristics of groundwater inDurgapur have been investigated and evaluated. Water samples from tube wells and dug wells are collected and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Na+, K+, Ca2+,Mg2+,HCO3-, Cl-, and SO4 2-. To understand the water quality and utilitarian aspects of groundwater, chemical indices like percent sodium, SodiumAdsorption Ratio (SAR),Wilcox diagram and Salinity diagram were calculated based on the analytical results. According to the EC and SAR calculation the most dominant classes (C2- S1, C3-S1) were found. Salinity hazard in 31%and 26%ofwater samples is regarded as good in pre and postmonsoon season respectively while in 52%and 57%of water samples in pre and postmonsoon season is classified as waters, that are not suitable for irrigation under normal condition and further action for salinity control is required in remediating such problem. Sodium content in 83.20% postmonsoon samples are of good to permissible type and 62.5% premonsoon samples are of permissible to doubtful type. The result suggests greater sodium hazard in premonsoon season. According to geochemical classification, the groundwater ofDurgapur is in general Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl type.With respect to time salinity of water increases through out the study area.
