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A Hydrochemical analysis and Evaluation of groundwater quality index in

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Applications, Vol.2, Iss.3, pp.25-37 (2013)

A Hydrochemical analysis and Evaluation of groundwater quality

index in Thoothukudi district,Tamilnadu, South India
S.Selvam1, R.Iruthaya Jeba Dhana Mala2 and V.Muthukakshmi2
1
Department of Geology, V.O.Chidambaram College, Tuticorin-8, Tamilnadu, India
Email: geoselvam10@gmail.com
2
Departments of Civil Engineering, Anna University, Tuticorin-8, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract - The present study was carried out to evaluate and hydrochemical characteristics of coastal aquifers in Tuticorin,
Tamilnadu. GIS has been applied to visualize the spatial distribution of groundwater quality in the study area. A total of 23
groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for various physicochemical parameters in the years 2010. Very wide
ranges and high standard deviations of hydrochemical parameters such as TDS, EC, Cl-, K, SO4, Mg suggest the
groundwater in the coastal aquifer shows seawater mixing and anthropogenic contamination and most of the water sample
exceed the maximum permissible limit of ISO standards. A total of 64% of the groundwater sample of the study area
exceeded the permissible limit of TDS. About 84% of the groundwater sample of the study area exceeded the recommended
limit of EC as per the Indian drinking water standard. The EC and TDS hydrochemical data clearly showed the consequences
of seawater intrusion. Among the major anions, sulphate plays dominant role in PRM, but in the POM period chloride and
bicarbonate was dominant. So anion Cl and HCO3 shows a prominent role in the study area. GIS based spatial analysis and
Weighted Index Overlay Analysis technique has been proven to be a powerful tool to represent the distribution of major ions
in the study area. Weighted Index Overlay Index map was also generated with the same technique to better understand the
water potability over space. The categories of water quality evaluated by Weighted Index values based on major part of the
study area falls under moderate category in the PRM and POM period. Weighted Index Overlay Analysis of the present
study zone shows a higher Weighted Index Overlay Analysis value occur in SW portion during PRM period and SE and SW
portion during POM period, indicating the deteriorated water quality.
Keywords - hydrochemical parameters, GIS, spatial analysis, weighted index overlay analysis

1 INTRODUCTION
Groundwater is widely distributed than surface water and is used for domestic, industrial and agricultural
purposes throughout the world. More than 95% of rural population depends on groundwater for all needs.
Because of the rapidly increasing population, several environmental problems are created which includes
groundwater quality degradation (Selvam et.al 2012a and 2012b). Degradation of groundwater quality in coastal
region generally occurs due to natural processes such as saline water intrusion, wind driven sea spray and
marine aerosols deposited on the topsoil , evaporation, and interaction of groundwater with brines and
sedimentary formations (Magesh N.S and Chandrasekar 2011 and Singaraja et.al 2012). Besides, anthropogenic
contamination is another major cause of water quality deterioration, derived from distinguished origins such as
industrial effluents, irrigation return flow, agricultural fertilizers, farm manures, municipal waste water, septic
tank effluent, animal wastes and landfill. Several studies have quantified anthropogenic contamination effects
on groundwater composition using geochemical approaches. The chemical parameters taken into consideration
are hydrogen ion concentration (pH), specific conductance (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), total hardness
(TH) and all major cations and anions. Various workers in our country have carried out extensive studies on
water quality. (Amer 1995) have studied ground water chemistry of shallow aquifers in the coastal zones of
Cochin and concluded that groundwater present in the shallow aquifers of some of the stations were poor in
quality and beyond potable limit as per the standard set by WHO. The aim of the study was to assess the spatial
distribution of hydrogeochemical parameters for suitability of groundwater resources and geochemical process
controlling the water composition based on the major ion chemistry of 23 groundwater samples (Pre-monsoon
and Post monsoon) in the coastal aquifer in Tuticorin district.

2 LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA

The study area is located in the coastal tract of southern Tamilnadu. The coastal stretch between Tuticorin
and Thiruchendur extends over a distance of about 60 km. Tuticorin is in South Tamilnadu about 540 km south
west of Madras (Chennai) and is geographically located in the Gulf of Mannar. The coastal stretch of Tuticorin
was extensively studied due to the presence of a major port. Between Tuticorin and Sippikulam, the beach is flat
and narrow. The islands of Pandyan Tivu, Van Tivu, Kasuvari Tivu, Vilangu Shuli Tivu and Kariya Shuli Tivu
are present within 5 km of the coastline along this segment and offer protection from wave action and erosion.
The study area is situated in the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, India and is located between 8° 19′ to 9° 22′ N
latitude and 77° 40′ to 78° 23′ E longitude (Fig. 1) covering an area of about 4,590.54 km2. Tuticorin is a coastal
city popularly known as “Pearl city” with a major port and rapidly developing industrial area. The total area of
the district is 4621 km². The administrative headquarters is an urban agglomeration and also one of the taluk
headquarters within. Tuticorin District was derived from Tirunelveli District in 1986. In 2011, Tuticorin had
population of 1,738,376 of which male and female were 858,919 and 879,457 respectively.

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Fig. 1 Location map of the Study Area

3 GEOLOGY AND SOIL

The study area is chiefly composed of hornblende biotite gneiss, alluvial marine and charnockites in the
west. The quartzite formations are also found as disseminated patches in the study area. There are minor
representations of Cretaceous formation and granitic intrusion in the eastern part of the study area (Fig. 2).
There are a number of red sandy tracts formed by the sand dunes locally known as Teri sand complex, which
forms one of the important features in this coast. Major water-bearing formations are Quaternary alluvium,
tertiary sediments, teri sands, weathered fractured pink granites, charnockites and gneisses. Limited fresh water
availability in sedimentary areas is present, the floating lenses of fresh water makes the coastal tract vulnerable
for water quality changes. Groundwater from alluvial/tertiary aquifer present in eastern part of the district is in
hydraulic connection with the sea and hence, it is vulnerable for saline water ingression (CGWB 2009).
Soil is an important product that has been produced due to weathering of substratum which is the surface of
the lithosphere. Weathering is defined as the change of rock from the massive to clastic state. Soils are mainly
composed of inorganic and organic materials and their characters depend on the consistent minerals and
structures of the substratum. In the environment soil plays a major role as a geochemical sink for contaminants
and acts as a natural buffer for controlling transport of chemical elements to atmosphere, hydrosphere and biota.
The chemical compostion of soil is mainly depending on the place of its weathering. Soil character of a terrain is
an important aspect that determines the wide range of geological materials and its meets the basic needs of all
agricultural production (Selvam et.al 2012c).
The district is covered by Black Cotton soil in the west with isolated red soil patches in high ground. The
sandy soil is present in the coastal tract. Alluvial soil is restricted to river flood plain and coastal part. Alkaline
and saline soils are also noticed at Places. The maximum soil thickness is about 3 m. The sandy soils originated
from sandstones and these have low soil moisture retentively. The alluvium soils are wind-blown sands and
shells constitute beach sand and coastal dunes, which have very low soil moisture retentivity. The important
aquifer systems in the district are constituted by unconsolidated & semi consolidated formations and weathered
and fractured crystalline rocks. The porous formations in the district include sandstones of Tertiary age. The
Recent formations comprising mainly sands, clays and gravels are confined to major drainage courses in the
district. The maximum thickness of alluvium is 45.0 m bgl, whereas the average thickness is about 25.0 m.

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Table 1 Geology of the Tuticorin district

PERIOD AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY

Quaternary Holocene to Recent Alluvium Red soil

Colluvium Coastal sand
Clay
River Alluvium
Laterite
Red Teri
Kankar
Tuffaceous Kankar
Shell limestone
Calcareous Sandstone

Tertiary Mio-Pliocene Panamparai Hard, compact

Sandstone Calcareous sandstone
Shell Limestone

Proterozoic Precambrian Crystalline complex Charnockite

Mixed and composite
Genesis Peliticgneiss
Calc-granulite
Quartzite

The precipitation records of the 8 rain gauge stations available in this area have been analyzed. The average
annual rainfall of this zone is 877mm. The NE monsoon contributing to 65.4% of annual rainfall is the major
component of recharge into the aquifer. The total number of rainy days in a year is only 20.5. The normal
rainfall varies from 599 mm to 749 mm which is far less than that of the state average (942.8mm). The
contribution of SW monsoon is only 8.06%. The maximum amount of rainfall is raised during November and
the minimum is seen during June.

4 MATERIAL AND METHODS

Groundwater Sample collection
A total of 23 groundwater samples were collected from open wells and bore holes ranging in depth between
6 to 86 m BGL for, pre-monsoon seasons (PRM). Each sample was collected by acid-washed polyethylene 1000
ml HDPE bottle. The parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were
measured in the field itself using the pH meter, conductivity meter and TDS meter respectively. The values of
TDS and EC were validated using the relationship, 1μS/cm = 0.65 mg/l. The bottle was completely filled with
water taking care that no air bubble was trapped within the water sample. Then to prevent evaporation, the
double plastic caps of the bottles were sealed. Precaution was also taken to avoid sample agitation during
transfer to the laboratory. The samples were stored at a temperature below 4 oC prior to analysis in the
laboratory.

Laboratory measurement
Samples were analyzed in the laboratory for the physico-chemical attributes like pH, electrical conductivity
(EC), total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS) and major cations like calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg),
sodium(Na), potassium(K), and anions like bicarbonate(HCO3), carbonate(CO3), chloride(Cl), nitrate(NO3), and
sulfate (SO4),phosphate (PO4) in the laboratory using the standard methods given by the American Public Health
Association (APHA 1995).These parameters are tabulated in Table:3. pH, EC and TDS were measured using
portable water quality analyzers. Major cations (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) were determined using ICP-Mass
Spectrometer. While the anions were determined as follows: bicarbonate (HCO 3), and Total hardness (TH) were
analyzed by volumetric method. sulphate (SO4) and nitrate(NO3) was determined titrimetrically against barium
sulfate (BaSO4) by adding Jelserin and NaCl solution to the samples. Chloride (Cl) by volumetric titration using
AgNO3 and K2Cr, HCO3 and carbonate (CO3) was determined by Portamess using HCl, phenolphthalein, methyl
orange by titration method. Fluoride was estimated by using an ion-selective electrode (ISE) with a pH/ISE
meter (Orion 4-Star meter). All concentrations are expressed in

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Fig. 2 Geology and Soil map of the study area

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Table 2 Drinking Water Specifications (ISO 10,500:1991)

Characteristics Desirable limit Permissible limit
Essential Characteristics
Colour, Hazen Units, Max 5 25
Odour Unobjectionable -
Taste Agreeable -
Turbidity, NTU, Max 5 10
PH value 6.5 to 8.5 -
Total Hardness (as CaCo3), mg/l, Max 300 600
Iron (as Fe), mg/l, Max 0.3 1.0
Chlorides (as Cl), mg/l, Max 250 1,000
Residual free chlorine, mg/l, Max 0.2 -
Desirable Characteristics
Dissolved solids, mg/l, Max 500 2,000
Calcium as (Ca), mg/l, Max 75 200
Magnesium (as Mg), mg/l, Max 30 75
Copper (as Cu), mg/l, Max 0.05 1.5
Manganese (as Mn), mg/l, Max 0.1 0.3
Sulphate (as So4), mg/l, Max 200 400
Nitrate (as No3), mg/l, Max 45 100
Flouride (as F0, mg/l, Max 1.0 1.5
Phenolic compounds (as C6H5OH), mg/l, Max 0.001 0.002
Mercury (as Hg), mg/l, Max 0.001 -
Cadmium (as Cd), mg/l, Max 0.01 -
Selenium (as Se), mg/l, Max 0.01 -
Arsenic (as As), mg/l, Max 0.05 -
Cyanide (as CN), mg/l, Max 0.05
Lead (as Pb), mg/l, Max 0.05 -
Anionic detergents (as MBAS), mg/l, Max 0.02 1.0
Chromium (as Cr6+), mg/l, Max 0.05 -
PAH, mg/l, Max - -
Mineral oil, mg/l, Max 0.01 0.03
Pesticides, mg/l, MAX Absent 0.001
Alkalinity, mg/l, Max 200 600
Aluminum (as Al), mg/l, Max 0.03 0.2
Boron, mg/l, Max 1 5
Electrical conductivity (micro sec/cm) <250 -

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Table 3 Weightages and Ranking for Different Groundwater Quality Analysis

Sl. No Criteria Parameter Range Ranking Weightages
pH 6.5-8.5 1
1 >8.5 2 4%
Electrical conductivity 0-500 1
2 (S/cm) 500-1500 2 20%

>1500 3
Total Dissolved 0-500 1
3 Solids 15%
500 -2000 2
(mg/l, Max)
>2000 3
Chloride 0-250 1
4 (mg/l, Max) 250-1000 2 10%
>1000 3
Magnesium 0-30 1
5 (mg/l, Max) 30-100 2 8%
>100 3
Nitrate 0-45 1
6 (mg/l, Max) 45-80 2 5%
>80 3
Bi-carbonate 0-200 1
7 (mg/l, Max) 5%
200-400 2
> 400 3
Fluoride 0-0.5 1
8 (mg/l, Max) 3%
0.5-1.5 2
1.5-3 3
Total Hardness 0-300 1
10 (mg/l, Max)
300-600 2 15%
>600 3

Calcium 0-75 1
11 (mg/l, Max) 75-200 2 10%
>200 3
11 Sulphate 0-150 1
(mg/l, Max) 5%
150-400 2
>400 3

milligrams per liter (mg/l), except pH and EC. Sampling was carried out using precleaned polyethylene
containers. The results were evaluated in accordance with the drinking water quality standards given by the
Indian standards (ISO)

Weighted Index Overlay Analysis (WIOA)

Weighted Index Overlay Analysis (WIOA) is a simple and straightforward method for combined
analysis of multi class map. In this method, weights have been assigned to various classes of different
themes like pH, Electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Nitrate, Fluoride,
Sulfate, Total Hardness and Bicarbonate according to the importance of these classes supporting
groundwater quality. The weightage of each criterion was finalized on the basis of the ranges of the
maximum and minimum values given by the standard criteria. Total Weightages were divided into different
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potential zones such as good, normal, and poor depending on the final weight values assigned to polygons
in the final layer. The decision rules used to delineate groundwater potential zones are listed in Table 2.
Based on these criteria the weightages and ranking for the major parameters are formed which is shown in
Table 3.

5 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The spatial variation map for both pre monsoon and post monsoon season (20010) are generated using
the Arc view 3.2a software. For preceding the spatial analysis for the water quality parameters in the Arc
View software's standard guide line values are obtained. But to give the weightage and ranking for the
particular parameter the non geometric data was analyzed manually and which parameter in the study
region predominant in vary guideline values.
pH

Fig. 3 Spatial distribution map of the pH

Fig. 4 Spatial distribution map of the EC

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EC
Electrical Conductivity (EC) is the most important parameter to demarcate salinity hazard and
suitability of water for irrigation purpose. The EC varies from 223 to 15000 μs/cm and 370 to 11000 μs/cm
(2010) during PRM and POM respectively. Higher was noted during PRM when compared with the POM.
To determine the suitability of groundwater of any purposes, it is essential to classify the groundwater
depending upon their hydrochemical properties based on their EC values (Handa, 1969). The EC of
groundwater samples had been contoured as shown in Fig.4.

TDS
A pH of 7 is neutral; lower numbers indicate acidity, and higher numbers indicate alkalinity. The
values of pH in the groundwater samples collected from the study area varied from during PRM and in
POM. The negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration pH ranges from 6.8 to 8.3 and 6 to 8 during
PRM and POM respectively, which indicating a slightly alkaline in nature and is between the maximum
permissible limits of ISO standards (Fig 3). The slight alkalinity may be due to the presence of bicarbonate
ions, which are produced by the free combination of CO 2 with water to form carbonic acid, which affects
the pH of the water (Azeez et al.2000). Post monsoon groundwater samples showed a pH value low when
compared to pre monsoon season.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of the groundwater vary from 130 to 9000 mg/l to 219 to 6913 mg/l
during PRM and POM respectively. The TDS of groundwater samples had been contoured as shown in Fig.
5. This figure clearly shows that a not permissible limits of TDS (>1500 mg/l) in PRM was observed in the
N-NE and S-SE and central portion of study area but in POM it shows SE and N-NW pattern. Southern
parts were also more affected in both the seasons with higher TDS values. It is noticed that the central and
eastern parts are comparatively more populated, have larger industries and also have a large number of dug,
tube, and bore wells.

Fig. 5 Spatial distribution map of the TDS

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Fig. 6 Spatial distribution map of the Ca

Fig. 7 Spatial distribution map of the Mg

Major Cation chemistry

Ca
Calcium (Ca) concentration is found to vary between 37 to 917 mg/l (2009), 18 to 800 mg/l (2010), 11
to 12.838 mg/l (2011) and 8 to 330 mg/l (2009), 25 to 800 mg/l (2010), 24 to 727.7 mg/l (2011), 20 to 897
mg/l (2012), 23 to 964 mg/l (2013) during PRM and POM respectively. The maximum allowable limit of
calcium ion concentration in groundwater is 200 mg/l as per ISO classification. In post-monsoon the NP
limit of calcium was observed towards NW and NE portion, but in the pre-monsoon it was observed in
small part of east portion (Fig.6).
Mg
Magnesium (Mg) concentration ranging from 7 to 504 mg/l (2009), 2 to 412 mg/l (2010), 12 to 470
mg/l (2011) and 10 to 570 mg/l (2009), 12 to 500 mg/l (2010), 4.917 to 430 mg/l (2011), 5 to 449 mg/l
(2012), 22 to 2567 mg/l (2013) during PRM and POM respectively. The maximum allowable limit of
magnesium ion concentration in groundwater is 150 mg/l as per ISO classification in PRM was observed
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over N and NE portion of the study area and in POM the pattern changed towards NW and South. The
spatial distribution map of Magnesium ion concentration in groundwater of the study area is shown in
Fig.7.

Na
Sodium (Na) concentration ranging from 10.38 to 2641 mg/l and 16 to 1654 mg/l during PRM and
POM respectively. High concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+ in the groundwater are attributed to cation
exchange among minerals and the sewage concentration, in addition to the infiltration of pollutants from
effluents. The NP limit of sodium (>200 mg/l) in PRM was observed towards N-NE and E-NE directions,
and in POM shows NW and S directions. Sodium concentration plays an important role in evaluating the
groundwater quality for irrigation because sodium causes an increase in the hardness of soil as well as a
reduction in its permeability (Tijani 1994).
K
Potassium (K) concentration ranging from 1.23 to 30.995 mg/l and 1.15 to 968 mg/l during PRM and
POM respectively. As per ISO the maximum allowable limit for potassium is 10 mg/l. Potassium
concentrations were slightly higher in the post-monsoon season compared to the pre-monsoon season. The
concentration of potassium at a few places is unusually very high in POM, which may be due to salt
patches present geogenically and fertilizer leaching or percolating through the subsurface.

Fig. 8 Spatial distribution map of the HCO3

Major Anion chemistry

HCO3
Bicarbonate (HCO3) concentration ranging from 75 to 780 mg/l and 90 to 914 mg/l during PRM
and POM respectively. Bicarbonate concentrations were slightly higher in the post-monsoon season
compared to the pre-monsoon seasons indicating the contribution of carbonate from weathering processes.
The NP limit of HCO3 >500 mg/l was observed in small patches in east portion in PRM and in POM it
shows N-NW, S-SE and central portion (Fig. 8). The increase of HCO 3 content in these groundwater
samples may be attributed to agricultural return flow where dissolution of carbonate minerals being
precipitated in the soil by the effect of high evaporation rates is the common process in such arid
agricultural area. There is a slight variation observed in seasonal and spatial distribution of HCO 3 but very
significant at certain locations, which may be due to mixing of geogenically present salt patches in the soil
profile and due to rise in the water table (Srinivasamoorthy et.al 2011).

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Fig. 9 Spatial distribution map of the Cl

Cl
Chloride (Cl) concentration ranging from 10 to 5000 mg/l and 22 to 3188 mg/l during PRM and POM
respectively. The maximum allowable limit of Cl is 600 mg/l in PRM was observed towards NE portion of
the study area and in POM the pattern changes to N-NW, NE and South (Fig. 9). Thus, high levels of Na
and Cl ions in coastal groundwater may indicate a significant effect of seawater mixing (Mondal et al. 2010
and Selvam et.al 2013). Higher concentration was noted during POM when compared with PRM indicating
dominance of industrial activity and salt pan leaching to the groundwater. High concentration of Cl may be
injurious to some people suffering from diseases of the heart and kidneys, taste, indigestion, corrosion and
palatability are effected (CPCB2008).
SO4
Sulphate (SO4) concentration ranging from 3.3 to 1438 mg/l (2009), 2 to 1000 mg/l (2010), 2.073 to
780 mg/l (2011) and 6 to 2390 mg/l (2009), 7 to 2000 mg/l (2010), 2 to 767 mg/l (2011), 2 to 765 mg/l
(2012), 12 to 1361 mg/l (2013) during PRM and POM respectively. The concentration of sulphate is likely
to react with human organs if the value exceeds the maximum allowable limit of 400 mg/l and will cause a
laxative effect on human system with the excess magnesium in groundwater. NP limit of sulphate

Weighted Index Overlay Analysis

The integrated weighted overlay was done with the entire surface variation maps for all the water
quality parameters. Here each surface spatial variation map is reclassified and those reclassified maps are
overlaid together with the vector boundary map with respect to the weightages mentioned in the table 3.
Then the integrated weighted overlay map for the entire pre and post monsoon data will be obtained as
shown in figure 10.
GIS based spatial analysis and Weighted Index Overlay Analysis interpolation technique has been
proven to be a powerful tool to represent the distribution of major ions in the study area. The category of
water quality evaluated by Weighted Index values suggests that the major part of the study area falls under
moderate category in the PRM and POM period. The spatial distribution map of the Weighted Index
Overlay Analysis clearly shows that the N-NE of the city has very poor groundwater quality in PRM and
POM was observed in the poor water quality in N direction (Fig. 10).

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Fig. 10 Integrated spatial variation map for both seasons in 2010

6 CONCLUSIONS
The present study was carried out to evaluate and hydrochemical characteristics of coastal aquifers in
Tuticorin, Tamilnadu. GIS has been applied to visualize the spatial distribution of groundwater quality in
the study area. A total of 23 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for various physicochemical
parameters in the years 2009 to 2013. Very wide ranges and high standard deviations of hydrochemical
parameters such as TDS, EC, Cl-, K, SO4, Mg suggest the groundwater in the coastal aquifer shows
seawater mixing and anthropogenic contamination and most of the water sample exceed the maximum
permissible limit of ISO standards.
 The abundance of the major cations and anions are in the following order, Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg 2+ > K+ = Cl-
> HCO3- > SO42- > CO3 > NO3 > PO4. Results suggest that the groundwater in this study area is very hard
and alkaline in nature.

 A total of 64% of the groundwater sample of the study area exceeded the permissible limit of TDS.
About 84% of the groundwater sample of the study area exceeded the recommended limit of EC as per
the Indian drinking water standard. The EC and TDS hydrochemical data clearly showed the
consequences of seawater intrusion. The concentration of TH in two third of the groundwater of the study
area exceeded the permissible limit as per ISO standard. This revels that the study area experiences very
hard water and high hardness level is noticed in this period.

 GIS based spatial analysis technique has been proven to be a powerful tool to represent the distribution of
major ions in the study area. Groundwater in Sulphate 30% of the study area exceeded the permissible
limit. 60% Chloride ion concentration of the study area is beyond the maximum allowable limit for
drinking purpose. The concentration of Fluoride is within the permissible limit except in some locations.

 The investigation indicates that among major cations sodium played a dominant role in PRM, but in the
POM period potassium was dominant. So cations Na and K showed a prominent role in the coastal study
area. The order of anions abundance is Cl->HCO3-> SO42–> F > NO3 >PO4 the study area.

 Among the major anions, sulphate plays dominant role in PRM, but in the POM period chloride and
bicarbonate was dominant. So anion Cl and HCO3 shows a prominent role in the study area.

 Fluoride is higher during POM indicating leaching from „F‟ rich source rocks and easier accessibility of
rain water to the weathered rock or anthropogenic activities.
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 The EC and TDS values in both seasons were found to be higher than the permissible limit shows the
consequences of seawater intrusion. It is evident from the very higher values of hydrochemical ions like
hardness, potassium, bicarbonates that most of the groundwater samples analyzed in the present
investigation might had natural and anthropogenic influences, through infiltration and percolation during
POM.

 GIS based spatial analysis and Weighted Index Overlay Analysis technique has been proven to be a
powerful tool to represent the distribution of major ions in the study area. Weighted Index Overlay Index
map was also generated with the same technique to better understand the water potability over space. The
categories of water quality evaluated by Weighted Index values based on major part of the study area
falls under moderate category in the PRM and POM period. The Weighted Index Overlay Analysis is a
very useful and an efficient tool to summarize and to report on the monitoring data to the decision
makers in order to be able to understand the status of the groundwater quality; and to have the
opportunity for better use in future as well. The overall view of the Weighted Index Overlay Analysis of
the present study zone shows a higher Weighted Index Overlay Analysis value occur in SW portion
during PRM period and SE and SW portion during POM period, indicating the deteriorated water quality.

Acknowledgments
First author is thankful to Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi
for awarding INSPIRE Fellowship to carry out this study (Ref. No. DST/INSPIRE
FELLOWSHIP/2010/(308), Date: 3rd August 2010). Authors are also grateful to Shri
A.P.C.V.Chockalingam, Secretary and Dr.C.Veerabahu, Principal, V.O.C College, Tuticorin for his support
to carry out study. We are thankful to the anonymous reviewers have provided their valuable suggestions to
improve the manuscript.

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