Evaluation of seasonal variation of groundwater quality by using the correlation matrices method in Koppal Taluk, Karnataka, India

Groundwater is a vital, renewable resource that provides over ۹۴% of drinking water in most areas and is critical to human health and sustainable development. Groundwater pollution has a significant impact on human health. This study was conducted in Koppal Taluk, Koppal district, Karnataka, India, from December ۲۰۲۲ to November ۲۰۲۳ to assess the physicochemical parameters of groundwater at ۲۵ seasonal sites. Several steel processing industries are located in the study area, and the inhabitants depend on groundwater sources for their daily needs. The study analyzed the parameters of cations and anions as per APHA guidelines. The study started with data standardization using the water quality index (WQI) and subsequent visualization of correlation matrices and mapping of data plots. The method used was ArcGIS ۱۰.۸, which visualizes spatial distribution for data quality control, identification of erroneous data, and classification of different data types. WQI values for drinking water ranged from ۹.۰۴ to ۷۵.۲۴ and showed three classes that were unsuitable for drinking. The correlation study showed that TDS, TH, Mg۲+, Ca۲+, and Cl− were more correlated. Most of the limitations were more or less associated with the parameters. Factor analysis suggested the first three principal components (PCs) in this analysis were ۹۶% (Monsoon), ۹۳.۵۰% (Pre-Monsoon), and ۸۷% (Post-Monsoon) of the cumulative variance correspondingly, and TDS was the most representative variable across all seasons.  This study underlined the importance of sustainable development and groundwater protection. The recommendations could help groundwater managers and urban planners to improve and maintain groundwater quality.

کلیدواژه ها:

Groundwater ، Physico-chemical parameters ، WQI ، ArcGIS ، Koppal