Work

Hydrochemical Appraisal of Groundwater Quality for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Water quality assessment is crucial for the sustainable use and management of groundwater resources. This study was carried out in the irrigated plains of Vehari District, Punjab, Pakistan, to evaluate groundwater suitability for a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) project. Twenty-three groundwater samples were collected in June 2021 from an area of 1,522 km² and analyzed for major physicochemical parameters including electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, turbidity, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chloride (Cl), alkalinity (Alk), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), hardness, potassium (K), sulphate (SO₄²⁻), sodium (Na), and nitrate (NO₃⁻). Water quality was assessed using WHO and PID standards, alongside derived hydrochemical indices such as sodium percentage (%Na), Kelley’s ratio (KR), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and the water quality index (WQI). The dataset was interpreted using geo-statistical, geospatial, multivariate, and correlation analyses. Cation and anion dominance followed the order Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ and HCO₃⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > Cl⁻ > NO₃⁻. WQI results showed that 35% of samples indicate “poor,” 50% “very poor,” and 15% “unsuitable” drinking-water quality. However, irrigation suitability indices confirmed that groundwater is generally acceptable for agricultural use, though unfit for drinking. The outcomes of this study provide essential insights for groundwater management in the region, where the Punjab Irrigation Department (PID) has initiated a MAR project. Considering that the irrigation sector is the major groundwater consumer in the area, the compatibility of groundwater and surface water quality supports the implementation of MAR to enhance agricultural sustainability.

Source: Geosciences

DOI: 10.3390/geosciences16010043

Authors: Ghulam Zakir-Hassan, Lee Baumgartner, Catherine Allan, Jehangir F. Punthakey

Institution: Charles Sturt University

Language: English

Topic: Water Quality and Pollution Assessment

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172