Journal of Global Resources
Volume 5
July 2017
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

Page 34-43

06
WATER QUALITY - CATION AND ANION CHARACTERISTICS OF SWETA RIVER BASIN,TAMIL NADU, INDIA
1

2

S. Priyadharshini and S. Aruchamy
1

2

Research Scholar Professor
Department of Geography, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
Email:geopriyadharshini@gmail.com

Abstract: This study is employed in Sweta River Basin, Water quality data for 34 control wells
collected from Groundwater Division for the year 1980-2010 are taken into consideration for the
analysis. These observation wells are regularly maintained by the Public Works Department ofGovernment of Tamil Nadu. The results show that the type of water that predominated in the
study area, during pre and post monsoon seasons and were analyzed for hydro geochemicalparameters such as (Calcium (Ca+), magnesium (Mg+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+),(HCO3-), Chloride (Cl-), Sulphate (SO4-), Carbonates (CO3), Nitrite (NO2-) Nitrate (NO3-) and
Fluoride (F) was assessed by Hydro chemical Facies.
Key words: Major Cations and Anions variations, Hydro chemical Facies, Piper Diagram andSweta River Basin
Introduction
Groundwater is important resource for agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities depends
on it. Groundwater has more minerals concentration in comparison with surface water. The
demand for groundwater in a study area requires detail consideration of availability and quality.
However, a number of trace elements are found in water which can limit its use for irrigation,
especially anion and cation variations determined by the water quality. Groundwater often
consists of seven major chemical elements Calcium, magnesium, Chloride, Potassium,
Sulphate and Sodium (Kelley, W. P.1940) and (Wilcox. L. V.1948). The control of water quality
must be effective. High clean up costs for effluent treatment and the low general publicawareness are the main reasons why an improvement in the situation is difficult to achieve (Mullet al. 1992). Evaluated the groundwater quality in the upper Gunjanaeru River basin, Cuddapah
District, Andhra Pradesh, South India (Raju, 2007). Kumaresan et al., (2006) have consideredmajor ion chemistry of environmental samples around sub-urban of Chennai city. Jagdap et al.,(2002) and Sunitha et al., (2005) classify the water in order to assess the water quality forvarious purposes.
The Study Area
The Sweta River basin lies in the districts of Namakkal, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Perambalurof Tamil Nadu State. The Sweta River originates from the northern parts of Kolli hills in
Namakkal District. It is located between 110 15’ N and 110 45’ N latitudes and 780 15’ E and 780
34

58’ E longitudes (as read from the survey of Indian Topographic sheets C44A6 (58 I/6), C44A7(58 I/7), C44A10(58 I/10), C44A11(58 I/11) and C44A15(58 I/15) (Fig.1). The river originatesfrom the northern parts of Kolli hills, a part of Manmalai, adjoining Kolli hills and Palakkadu
Malai in Pachamalai. The total geographical area of the basin is 1,034.43 Sq.km (1,03,443 ha)within 82 Revenue villages. The study area is based upon the three major relief orders such as
the hills, uplands, and the plains. The river runs over 116 kms from the west to the east, andjoins Vellar River, which runs into the Bay of Bengal.
Figure 1: Location of Study area

Figure 2: Location of Control wells

Objectives
The study aims to understand the distribution of groundwater quality of Sweta River basin andthe main objectives of anion and cation characteristics variations in post and pre monsoon
seasons.
Methodology
The Study area selected control wells around the basin and inside the basin totally 34 control
wells are selected for this analysis (Fig.2). Water quality data collected form Ground Water
Division (GWD), Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Water quality data are utilized in the present study toanalyze the groundwater cation and anion variations from 1980 to 2010 for both pre monsoon(July) and post monsoon (December) seasons.
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY
Hydro-geochemical status of various cations and anions of the groundwater wells of both preand post-monsoon seasons are dealt in the following sections.
1. Cation Variation
Most important cations, (Calcium (Ca+), magnesium (Mg+), Sodium (Na+) and Potassium (K+)
have been taken into consideration as far as cation variation is concerned. The concentration of
cation for 34 control wells is worked out for pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons (Fig.3 &4).
35

Figure 3: Cation Variation - 1980 -2010(Pre-Monsoon)

Values in Mg/L

400.0

SWETA RIVER BASIN
CATION VARIATION – PRE MONSOON

300.0
200.0

Na

100.0

Mg
Ca

0.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
Number of Wells

K

1.1. Sodium (Na+)
The concentration of cations during the pre-monsoon season at different control wells of thestudy area is shown in Figure.3. It is observed that among the cations, sodium is found to be
the most predominant in the study area. The concentration of sodium ion ranges from 39.8 mg/L
to 313 mg/L during pre monsoon period and 0.0 mg/L to 694.3 mg/L during post-monsoon
period in the entire basin. Sodium is the first dominant ion in the basin. The highest
concentration (more than 250 mg/l) of sodium ion is found in south and central part of the study
area, highly concentrated in South part of Thalugai control well in Tiruchirappalli district during
Post monsoon totally 6 control wells comes under this category.
1.2. Magnesium (Mg+)
Magnesium is the Second dominant ion in the study area. Its concentration ranges Between 25
mg/L to 200.3 mg/L during the pre-monsoon period and 30.1 mg/L to 193 mg/L during the postmonsoon period in the entire basin. Tirumandurai, Kallatukombai and Poolambadi control wells
are less than 50 mg/L during pre-monsoon. The trend is decreasing from central to east of thebasin. A very low (less than 50 mg/L) to very high (more than 200 mg/L) concentration ofmagnesium ion occur at northern rim and western central part of the study area. In the case of
post-monsoon season Magnesium concentration does not show much variation. The
concentration of magnesium ion found to be very low (less than 50 mg/L) in five control wells
The average concentration of magnesium is 90.1 mg/L in pre-monsoon and 87 mg/L during
post-monsoon season.
1.3. Calcium (Ca+)
During the pre-monsoon season, calcium concentration is ranging between 14.8 mg/L and 192
mg/L in the entire basin. It is found to be very low (less than 50 mg /L) in 12control wells. The
concentration of calcium during post-monsoon ranges from 16 mg/L to 204 mg/L and it is very
high (more than 100 mg/L) at Kalkurichi, Illupanatham, Pudupatti, Sendarapatti, Gangavalli and
Sendarappatti control wells, It is less than 50 mg/L of calcium ion concentration. The average
concentration of calcium in the entire basin is 65.2 mg/L during pre monsoon season and it is69.5 mg/L during post-monsoon season.
36

Figure 4: Cation Variation -1980 -2010 (Post-Monsoon)

SWETA RIVER BASIN
CATION VARIATION – POST MONSOON
Values in Mg/L

1000.0
800.0
600.0

K

400.0

Ca

200.0

Mg

0.0

Na

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
Number of Wells

1.4. Potassium (K+)
Among the cation, potassium stands in the last place in the study area. During the premonsoon season, the concentration of potassium ranges from 3.0 mg/L to 148 mg/L. In 31
and 32 control wells in both seasons the concentration potassium ion is found to be below (lessthan 50 mg/L) in the study area. A high concentration is noticed at Pasumbalur, Veeraganurand Esanai pre monsoon season and Pasumbalur, Tirumandurai, Ladapuram and Esanai postmonsoon season.
2. Anion Variation
For the present study, major anion in groundwater such as Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Chloride (Cl-),
Sulphate (SO4-), Carbonates (CO3), nitrite (NO2-) nitrate (NO3-) and Fluoride (F) are carefully
studied in order to understand their influence of groundwater chemistry. In the study area,
Bicarbonate (HCO3-) is predominant anion. The few differences observed between these two
periods are represented graphically by using simple linear graphs and are shown in Figure.5 &6.
Figure 5: Anion Variation - 1980 -2010 (Pre-Monsoon)

SWETA NADI BASIN
ANION VARIATION – PRE MONSOON
Values in Mg/L

800.0
600.0

HCO3

400.0

CO3

200.0
SO4
0.0
1

3

5

7

9

11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33
Number of Wells

37

2.1 Bi-Carbonate (HCO3-)
Under normal condition, the bicarbonate concentration in Ground water ranges from 0.9 mg/L to
683 mg/L. The presence of bicarbonate in the groundwater of the study area may be due to thedissolution of carbon-di-oxide, when the water passes through soil containing organic matter.
During the pre-monsoon, bi-carbonate is ranging from 170.8 mg/L to 683 mg/L. The highest
concentration (more than 400 mg/L) is found in Uppliyapuram, Nadukombai, Tirumandurai andPeraiyur control wells and the range is increasing towards south to southeastern part andwestern middle part.
The concentration of bi-carbonate is found to be very low (less than 200mg/L) in
Illupanatham, Kallatukombai and Poolambadi. The concentration of bi-carbonate is moderated(200 to 400 mg/L) falls under 27 control wells central and northern part of the study area.
During the post-monsoon season the bicarbonate concentration is diluted when compared to
pre-monsoon season in almost all the control wells.
The concentration of bi-carbonate ion during the post-monsoon season ranges from 0.9
mg/L and 646 mg/L and it is found to be highest (more than 400 mg/L) in Thalugai,
Nadukombai and Tirumandurai control wells. It is low (less than 200 mg/L) in Peraiyur,
Sendarapatti, Kallatukombai and Kaikalathur control wells inside the basin boundary. The rest of
the 27 control wells fall under moderate category. The average concentration of bi-carbonate is
312.5 mg/L during pre-monsoon and 310.1 mg/L during post-monsoon season. More than
average values are found in 27 control wells in both the seasons.
2.3 Chloride (Cl-)
Chloride is the third predominant ion in anion group of groundwater in the whole study area.
The concentration of chloride ion during the pre-monsoon period ranges from 72.5 mg/L to
626.4 mg/L. The concentration of chloride ion during this season is found to be low (less than
100 mg/L) in Kallatukombai and Poolambadi control wells. High (more than 400 mg/L)
concentration is noticed in 8 control wells of northeast part and some patches in the west part ofthe study area. The concentration of chloride ion during the post-monsoon period ranges from25 mg/L to 681.7 mg/L. Its concentration is found to be low (less than 100 mg/L) occurring infour control wells of Rajapalayam, Kadambur, Kallatukombai and Poolambadi during thisseason. High (more than 400 mg/L) concentration of chloride is recorded at ten control wells ofwestern middle parts, central and northern rim of the basin. The average concentration ofchloride is 304.4 mg/L observed during pre and it is 298.5 mg/L during post-monsoon season.
Sendarappatti and Pudupatti have more than average concentration in both the seasons also it
is found in the western part of the study area during pre-monsoon. The main reason for thehigher occurrence of chloride in these parts is owing to the intensity of industrial activities.

38

Figure 6: Anion Variation - 1980 -2010 (Post-Monsoon)

SWETA NADI BASIN
ANION VARIATION – POST MONSOON

Values in Mg/L

2000.01500.0F
NO2_NO3
Cl
SO4
CO3
HCO3

1000.0
500.0
0.0
1

3

5

7

9

11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33
Number of wells

2.4 Sulphate (SO4-)
The concentration of sulphate ion during the pre-monsoon period ranges from 20.4 mg/L to 221
mg/L. The concentration of sulphate ion during this season is found to be low (less than 50mg/L) in six control wells in central and some control wells located northern rim of basinboundary,
Kallatukombai, Poolambadi, Paithur, Kadambur, Sendarapatti, Sokkanur andAgraharam. High (above 150mg/L) concentration of sulphate is noticed at Malayalapatti,
Thalugai, Kalkurichi, Perumalpalaiyam, Ladapuram and Peraiyur (6 control wells). The
concentration of sulphate ion during the post-monsoon period ranges from 9 mg/L to 230 mg/L
and it is found to be low (less than 50 mg/L) in six control wells located in eastern part of thestudy area. Moderate concentration (50-150 mg/L) is noticed in 23 control wells in Gangavalli
and Rasipuram taluk. High (more than 150 mg/L) concentration is recorded in five control wells
at Thalugai, Sendarappatti, Esanai and Nadukombai. It indicates that water from the basins has
more than 150 mg/L sulphate concentration may perhaps be recommended for agriculture anddomestic purpose.
2.5 Nitrite (NO2-) Nitrate (NO3-)
In the present study, nitrate concentration is comparatively higher in the post monsoon season
than that of the pre-monsoon season. During the pre monsoon season, the range of nitrate isfrom 4 mg/L to 49.1 mg/L and it is from 3.0 mg/L to 81.3 mg/L during post- monsoon. The
concentration of nitrogen ion during pre-monsoon is found to be low (less than 50 mg/L) all
control wells in and outer part of the basin area. Moderate concentration is noticed (50-100mg/L) in three wells from Illupanatham, Mettupalayam and Sendarappatti during post monsoon
season. The concentration of nitrogen ion low to moderate found to be entire basin. The
concentration of nitrate in water directly indicates the role of fertilizers in agriculture. The
average concentration of nitrate is 20.3 mg/L during pre-monsoon and 24.6 mg/L during postmonsoon.
2.6 Carbonate (CO3-)
Carbonate concentration in pre-monsoon is comparatively higher than that of post-monsoon
season. Two control wells in pre monsoon and 5 control wells in post monsoon do not contain39

carbonate at all. Maximum numbers of control wells have lower (less than 50 mg/L)
concentration of carbonate ion during both the seasons. During the pre-monsoon season,carbonate concentration is little higher than that of the post-monsoon season. The range ofcarbonate is from 0.6 mg/L to 42 mg/L during post-monsoon season. Concentration is noticed in
the extreme north and northeast part of the study area. The presence of carbonate is low. The
average concentration of carbonate is 15.4 mg/L during pre-monsoon and 11.1 mg/L during
post-monsoon season.
2.7 Fluoride (F)The fluoride concentration ground water quality of the study area. Varies between 0.5 to 1.3
mg/l in a pre-monsoon season and 0.2 to 1.2 in the post monsoon season with an averagevalue of 0.8 and of 0.6 mg/l pre and post monsoon seasons. The maximum allowable limit offluoride is 1.5 mg/l according to WHO (1993). The concentration level low 1.5 mg/l in all control
wells.
3. Hydro chemical Facies
The concentrations of major ionic constituents of groundwater control wells are plotted in thepiper’s trilinear diagram (Piper, 1953) to determine the water type (Fig.7). The Auqua Chem
software is used to construct the Piper’s trilinear diagram and the values are used inmilliequivalents per liter (epm). The classification for the cation and anion facies, in terms major
ion percentages and water types, is made according to the domain in which they occur in the
diagram segments (Blacks, 1966). Diagrammatic representation of chemical constituents isvery effective to understand the results of the analysis and to provide a means for comparing
the analysis with each other. These tri-linear diagrams (Figure.7) is useful in bringing out
chemical relationships among groundwater quality in more definite terms rather than with otherpossible plotting methods is presented in Table 2.
4. Modified Piper’s Trilinear Method
The cationic and anionic triangular fields of the Piper’s diagram, during pre monsoon season,
exhibit that 55.9% (19 control wells) of the wells fall in the ‘No dominant type’ , about 26.5 % (9Control wells) of the wells fall into ‘Sodium or Potassium type’ and the remaining 17.6% (6control wells) fall into Magnesium type among the cation facies. On the other hand, 64.7 % (22control wells) of the wells fall into ‘Bicarbonate type’, about 23.5 % (8 control wells) of the wells
fall into ‘Chloride type’ and the remaining 11.8 % of the control wells fall into no dominant type.
During the post monsoon season, as per the cationic and anionic triangular fields ofPiper’s diagram, it is observed that 70.4% (24 control wells) fall into ‘No dominate type’ among
the anions facies (table.1) and 17.6 % (6 control wells) fall into ‘Magnesium type’ and thereaming about 11.8 % (4 control wells) fall into ‘Sodium or potassium type’(Fig.7).

40

Figure 7: Piper Trilinear Diagram – Sweta River Basin

Table 1: Piper's Triangle fields classification
Sl.No

Subdivision of
the triangles

1

Cation facies

2

Anion facies

Characteristics
ofcorresponding subdivisions of
triangle-shaped fieldA- calcium typeB-magnesium typeC-sodium or potassium typeO-no dominant typeD- bicarbonate typeE-sulphate type
F-Chloride typeO-no dominant type

Pre Monsoon
No. of
%
Wells
Nil
Nil
6
17.6
9
26.5
19
55.9
22
64.7
Nil
Nil
8
23.5
4
11.8

Post Monsoon
No. of
%
Wells
Nil
Nil
6
17.6
4
11.8
24
70.6
14
41.2
Nil
Nil
11
32.4
9
26.5

On the other hand 41.2% (14 control wells) of the wells fall into ‘Bicarbonate type’, andabout 32.4%(11 control wells) fall into ‘Chloride type’ and the remaining about 26.5 % (9 control
wells) of the wells fall into ‘No dominant type’ among the anions facies (table.1). While looking
difference between is found between pre and post monsoon seasons (Fig.7).
To define a composition class, Back and Co-workers suggested subdivisions of thetri-linear diagram. The cations and anion fields are combined to show a single point in adiamond-shaped field, from which inference is drawn on the basis of the hydro geochemicalfacies concept.
It evidently explains the variations or domination of cation and anion
concentrations during pre and post-monsoon as shown in Figure.7.

41

Table 2: Characteristics of corresponding subdivisions of diamond-shaped field
Sub
Divisionofthediamond1

Characteristics
ofcorresponding
subdivisions of
diamondshaped field
Alkaline earths(Ca+Mg)exceeds
alkalies(Na+K)

Pre
MonsoonPost
Monsoon

No.
of
Wells

%

No.
of
Wells

%

Sub
Divisionofthediamond

26

76.5

15

44.1

5

2

Alkaline
exceeds
alkaline earths

8

23.5

19

55.9

6

3

weak
acids
(CO3+HCO3)
exceeds
strongacids(SO4+Cl)

21

61.8

16

47.1

7

4

Strong acids
exceeds weak
acids

13

38.2

18

52.9

8

9

Characteristics
ofcorresponding
subdivisions of
diamondshaped field
Carbonate
hardness(secondary
alkaline
exceeds 50%)
NonCarbonate
hardness(secondary
salinity
exceeds 50%)
NonCarbonate
alkali (primarysalinity
exceeds 50%)
Carbonatealkali (primaryalkalinity
exceeds 50 %)None of the
Cation - Anion
pairs exceeds
50 %

Pre
MonsoonPost
Monsoon

No.
of
Wells

%

No.
of
Wells

%

14

41.2

13

38.24

1

2.9

Nil

Nil

4

11.8

3

8.824

Nil

Nil

1

2.941

15

44.1

17

50

Alkaline earth (Ca+Mg) exceeds alkalies (76.5%) and (44.1%) and the 26 control wells
fall under pre monsoon, 15 control wells in post monsoon season. The type Strong Acids
exceeds weak acids 38.2% (13 control wells) and 52.9 % (18 control wells) respectively, basedon hydro-chemical facies as shown in Table 2.
Conclusion
The present study reveals that the assessments of ground water quality were classified into
different types of cation and anion groups. The cation groups identified as magnesium type andsodium or potassium type below the 30 % and calcium type were nil in both seasons. Its showsthat water characteristics imbalance of calcium and magnesium, it may be agricultural crops areaffecting by sulfate salts. Anion groups were identified as bicarbonate type 64.7 % in premonsoon season and 41.2 % in post monsoon season. Bicarbonate amount is important one inwater, because water has continued use of bicarbonate ratio leads to a breakdown in thephysical structure of soil properties. The soil becomes hard and dry, increasingly resistant towater penetration. No dominant type of water cation facies above the 50 % both seasons andanion facies that group have below 30% experienced both seasons. The quality of watercondition indicated severe limitation for irrigation and moderated hard based on the seasonalchanges were found to have significant in the river basin.

42

Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to the DST – PURSE, New Delhi for providing the financial assistanceto the department of Geography, Bharathidasan University and Public Works Department(PWD), Water Resource Department (WRD), (State Ground and Surface water Resources Data
Centre) Tharamani, Chennai.
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4. Back, W., and Hanshaw, B. B. (1965) Advances in hydro-science. In chemical
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