Abstract The present study employed a multi-criteria decision analysis to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater suitability in Nagpur Metropolitan City, Maharashtra, Central India. The findings indicate that groundwater chemistry in the region is predominantly governed by geogenic contaminants as well as the influence of anthropogenic factors, such as agricultural activities, domestic sewage, and industrial waste disposal. The high electrical conductivity (EC: 1729 µS/cm) and total dissolved solids (TDS: 1124 mg/L), far-exceeding the WHO-recommended threshold (500 mg/L) in 80% of the samples along with the significant positive correlation of TDS with Ca2+ (r = 0.850), Mg2+ (r = 0.782), Na+ (r = 0.880), HCO3− (r = 0.845), and Cl− (r = 0.850) demonstrates that the groundwater salinity is yet again largely influenced by the mineral-dissolution and the anthropogenic activities. Statistical modelling using factor analysis extracted three major factors explaining 83.40% of the total variance in groundwater chemistry: (i) a geogenic salinity and hardness factor (43.02%), (ii) an anthropogenic pollution factor (21.48%), and (iii) an alkaline factor associated with fluoride mobilization (18.90%). Multiple regression analysis reveals the significant influence of HCO3−, Cl−, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO42− on groundwater quality, with the derived regression model achieving an F-value of 687.09, signifying high statistical reliability. The elevated NO3− concentrations render 67.50% of the samples unsuitable for direct human consumption without treatment. SAR values (0.59–4.64 meq/L) suggest that groundwater is predominantly safe, with 60% of samples falling within the C3-S1 category, indicating medium to high salinity but low sodium hazard. However, 12.5% of samples exhibit potential salinity (PS) values >5, classifying them as unsuitable for irrigation. Research highlights The study employs multi-criteria decision and statistical analyses to distinguish geogenic and anthropogenic influences on groundwater chemistry across diverse litho-units in Nagpur City, Central India. The graphical and statistical analyses reveal that geogenic salinity and hardness, anthropogenic pollution, and alkaline–fluoride mobilization have controlled the groundwater evolution through silicate weathering and mineral dissolution processes. Despite elevated nitrate concentrations in some of the water samples, groundwater remains largely suitable for drinking,irrigation, and industrial uses, with SAR and PS values indicating low sodium and moderate salinity hazards.

Multi-criteria decision analyses of groundwater hydrogeochemistry in a growing metropolis in Central India

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发表日期：

2026年4月21日

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Yogesh Murkute,
Soumya Ranjan Hota,
Rabindra Nath Hota,
Shreerup Goswami

摘要

Abstract

The present study employed a multi-criteria decision analysis to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater suitability in Nagpur Metropolitan City, Maharashtra, Central India. The findings indicate that groundwater chemistry in the region is predominantly governed by geogenic contaminants as well as the influence of anthropogenic factors, such as agricultural activities, domestic sewage, and industrial waste disposal. The high electrical conductivity (EC: 1729 µS/cm) and total dissolved solids (TDS: 1124 mg/L), far-exceeding the WHO-recommended threshold (500 mg/L) in 80% of the samples along with the significant positive correlation of TDS with Ca²⁺ (r = 0.850), Mg²⁺ (r = 0.782), Na⁺ (r = 0.880), HCO₃⁻ (r = 0.845), and Cl⁻ (r = 0.850) demonstrates that the groundwater salinity is yet again largely influenced by the mineral-dissolution and the anthropogenic activities. Statistical modelling using factor analysis extracted three major factors explaining 83.40% of the total variance in groundwater chemistry: (i) a geogenic salinity and hardness factor (43.02%), (ii) an anthropogenic pollution factor (21.48%), and (iii) an alkaline factor associated with fluoride mobilization (18.90%). Multiple regression analysis reveals the significant influence of HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and SO₄²⁻ on groundwater quality, with the derived regression model achieving an F-value of 687.09, signifying high statistical reliability. The elevated NO₃⁻ concentrations render 67.50% of the samples unsuitable for direct human consumption without treatment. SAR values (0.59–4.64 meq/L) suggest that groundwater is predominantly safe, with 60% of samples falling within the C3-S1 category, indicating medium to high salinity but low sodium hazard. However, 12.5% of samples exhibit potential salinity (PS) values >5, classifying them as unsuitable for irrigation.

Research highlights

The study employs multi-criteria decision and statistical analyses to distinguish geogenic and anthropogenic influences on groundwater chemistry across diverse litho-units in Nagpur City, Central India.

The graphical and statistical analyses reveal that geogenic salinity and hardness, anthropogenic pollution, and alkaline–fluoride mobilization have controlled the groundwater evolution through silicate weathering and mineral dissolution processes.

Despite elevated nitrate concentrations in some of the water samples, groundwater remains largely suitable for drinking,irrigation, and industrial uses, with SAR and PS values indicating low sodium and moderate salinity hazards.