Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality in Champhai, Mizoram, North Eastern India

Abstract

An effort has been made probably for first time to elucidate the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater and determine the suitability of water for drinking and other purposes. Hydrogeochemical investigations, which are significant for the assessment of water quality, have been done to study the source of dissolved ions in groundwater of Champhai valley, Mizoram, India. Based on the variations on the geomorphological and geological factors, the encountered data revealed that Ca+Mg are most predominant constituents followed by Na. An anion group HCO3 is more dominant than Cl & SO4. The Piper trilinear plot indicates dominant hydro geochemical facies of Ca-Mg- HCO3 type, and less dominance of Na-HCO3 & Ca-Mg-SO4-Cl types. The aqueous geochemistry of aquifer has been studied by adopting equilibrium thermodynamic approach. The solubility-equilibrium hypothesis suggests that groundwater is under saturated with respect to calcite, dolomite, aragonite as well as gypsum and anhydrite. The high concentration of calcium and magnesium with bicarbonate is related to dissolution of calcite, dolomite and others. The overall hydrochemistry suggests that waters are suitable for drinking and domestic purposes