Influence of variations in rainfall pattern on the hydrogeochemistry of coastal groundwater—an outcome of periodic observation

This study considered the temporal variations in rainfall and water level patterns as governing factors, which influence the geochemical process of coastal aquifer around Pondicherry, South India. Rainfall and water level data were collected from 2006 to 2016, which showed that the amount of rainfall from 2006 to 2011 was higher than that of 2011 to 2016. To understand the geochemical process governing groundwater, samples were collected during 2006 (n = 54), followed by 2011 (n = 93), and during 2016 (n = 63) as part of continuous observation. The major ions and stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δD) were analyzed in the samples to determine the geochemical variations. The predominant types were noted as Na-HCO₃ and Na-Cl; Ca-HCO₃ and Ca-Mg-Cl; and Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl in 2006, 2011, and 2016, respectively. Saturation states of sulfate and carbonate minerals were compared for the study periods and it indicates that the saturation index (SI) values were increased from 2006 to 2011, but decreased from 2011 to 2016. PHREEQC inverse modeling revealed the predominance for the dissolution and leaching of carbonate minerals during increased rainy periods, and the increase of halite saturation during lesser rainfall period. AQUACHEM mixing studies suggested that geochemical signatures of 2006 and 2011 were preserved in samples of 2016 in different proportions. Considering the major factors, the main processes prevailing in the study area were inferred to be dissolution and leaching during 2006~2011 years and seawater intrusion along with ion exchange during 2011~2016 years. In all these periods of study, anthropogenic impact was also identified in the groundwater samples. Hence, this study revealed that the rainfall and water level gave a significant variation in the geochemical process of groundwater in the coastal aquifer system.