Groundwater quality evaluation using hydrochemical and multivariate statistical techniques in Doiwala block, Dehradun District, Uttarakhand, India
摘要
In the Doiwala block of the Dehradun District in Uttarakhand, groundwater serves as the main supply of irrigation and drinking water, however its quality may be threatened by human activity and population expansion. In order to determine the primary processes governing water chemistry, the current study assesses the hydrochemical properties and adaptability of groundwater using statistical methods. The current status of water quality was determined through statistical analysis of 16 factors related to water quality, as well as through calculation of the water quality index, correlation matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The parameters tested include pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium content, magnesium content, sodium content, potassium content, chloride content, sulfate content, bicarbonate content, nitrate content, alkalinity, and turbidity. The results were evaluated and compared against water quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Key ions in both positively and negatively charged particles include alkalinity, turbidity, iron (Fe²⁺), magnesium (Mg2+), and calcium (Ca2+). The Piper ternary diagram illustrates the occurrence of Mg2+- Cl− and CaMgCl classes in groundwater samples. Based on the Ionic Concentration Analysis (ICA), correlation matrix, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) findings, most samples were rated as excellent to good quality, indicating they were safe for consumption. Overall, the study offers a scientific baseline for sustainable groundwater management and preservation policies in the Doiwala block of Dehradun District and illustrates the efficacy of statistical methodologies in groundwater quality assessment.