Integrated approaches to identify the major controlling factors of groundwater chemistry and quality assessment for suitability of different uses in West Singhbhum, India

A total 60 groundwater samples were collected at 20 sites in the iron ore mining areas of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for geochemical parameters to understand the groundwater geochemistry and assess overall water quality status with reference to drinking, domestic and irrigation purposes. Hydrogeochemical methods, water quality indices, statistical analysis and geographic information system (GIS) tools were used to identify the geochemical processes controlling the groundwater chemical composition, spatio-temporal variation in concentration of chemical constituents and assess groundwater quality for its application. The analysis result showed that the groundwater of the study area was acidic to slightly alkaline in nature and had the maximum values of electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) of 891 µS cm⁻¹ and 618.1 mg L⁻¹ respectively. The groundwater chemistry was dominated by HCO₃⁻ and Cl⁻considering anions, while Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ dominated the cationic chemistry. The results suggested that there was no major seasonal variation in concentration of dissolved ions in the studied area groundwater. The groundwater chemistry of the West Singhbhum was principally controlled by the weathering of carbonate and silicate minerals with little influence from the local anthropogenic activities. Comparison of the analyzed data with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drinking water standards and calculated indices showed that the majority groundwater samples of the area were suitable for drinking, domestic and irrigation uses. However, low pH values, high total hardness (TH) and high TDS concentration at some locations restrict the suitability for drinking and domestic uses. High values of magnesium hazard (MH) at many locations restrict the use of water for irrigation purposes. The outcome of the present study could be helpful to decision-makers for the current and future groundwater quality management planning of the area.