Abstract

Studies on Physico-Chemical Parameters of Irrigation Water, Prantij, Gujarat (India)

Author(s): G. D. Acharya, M. R. Solanki and M. V. Hathi

Chemical quality of the surface and groundwater is as important as the quantity. Groundwater quality in an inevitable factor for the sustainable agriculture as a source of irrigation water. Therefore, the study was conducted is an irrigated alluvial area to evaluate the groundwater quvality for irrigation. Agriculture, mainly through irrigation is the majar user of fresh water resource, accounting for 70 % of total global fresh water withdrawals. For successful irrigated agriculture, the quality of surface and ground water is as important as the fertility of soil. The physico-chemical analysis of ground water has been done to assess the quality of water for irrigation needs. 20 Water samples were collected from dug-cum bored wells tapping shallow to deep aquifers. The quality analysis was made through the estimation of chloride, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, total hardness, totle dissolved solids, EC, pH, calculation of sodium adsorption ratio and percentage of sodium. The analytical data are processed and interpreted as per standard laboratory method of APHA. Regarding the suitability of groundwater for irrigational purposes, TDS, EC and SAR are within the safe limits except few samples. Total dissolved solids in ground water ranged between 375-1490 mg/L during the period of investigation, which revealed that irrigation using groundwater of the study area would not cause salinity hazards.