Determination of irrigation water quality of surface and groundwater in Luvuvhu catchment in Limpopo, South Africa
type: CreativeWork
description: Rapid economic expansion and intensive irrigation activities constitute significant threat to groundwater depletion. This study emphasized on the surface water quality and groundwater quality for irrigation purpose by adopting multivariate statistical methods and the hydrochemical processes and on the probable groundwater contamination in the Luvuvhu catchment Limpopo province. Groundwater samples were collected from 41 wells during 2015 and 2016; and seven samples were collected from Luvuvhu River. The physical parameters pH, EC, TDS, temperature and ORP were measured in the field. Major ion Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3- and nitrate were analyzed. The pH values indicate that groundwater is acidic in nature during 2015 and 2016. TDS values indicate that groundwater is fresh in nature. The dominant sequence of cations is presented as Ca2+ > Mg2+ >Na+>K+ while that of anions as HCO3- > Cl- > SO42_ in the year 2015 and 2016. The Piper and Chadha plots show that the dominant water types are Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3- and Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl-. Gibbs plot reveals that the chemistry of water was influenced by rock-water interaction. Bivariate plots indicate the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals, reverse ion exchange and anthropogenic activities influenced the water chemistry in the study area. Groundwater was saturated and oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite and undersaturated with gypsum and halite. High nitrate concentration resulted from agricultural and farming activities and leakage of sewage system. Temporal groundwater fluctuations indicates that recharge processes decrease the concentration of ions in groundwater by mixing of infiltrated fresh water with groundwater. Factor analysis revealed that the two main factors of 80.68% and 79.95% of total variance for both years. These factors indicate the impact of irrigation return flows, human disposals and usage of K+ and NO3- fertilizers. Electrical conductivity, pH and the concentration of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+,…
abstract: Rapid economic expansion and intensive irrigation activities constitute significant threat to groundwater depletion. This study emphasized on the surface water quality and groundwater quality for irrigation purpose by adopting multivariate statistical methods and the hydrochemical processes and on the probable groundwater contamination in the Luvuvhu catchment Limpopo province. Groundwater samples were collected from 41 wells during 2015 and 2016; and seven samples were collected from Luvuvhu River. The physical parameters pH, EC, TDS, temperature and ORP were measured in the field. Major ion Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3- and nitrate were analyzed. The pH values indicate that groundwater is acidic in nature during 2015 and 2016. TDS values indicate that groundwater is fresh in nature. The dominant sequence of cations is presented as Ca2+ > Mg2+ >Na+>K+ while that of anions as HCO3- > Cl- > SO42_ in the year 2015 and 2016. The Piper and Chadha plots show that the dominant water types are Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3- and Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl-. Gibbs plot reveals that the chemistry of water was influenced by rock-water interaction. Bivariate plots indicate the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals, reverse ion exchange and anthropogenic activities influenced the water chemistry in the study area. Groundwater was saturated and oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite and undersaturated with gypsum and halite. High nitrate concentration resulted from agricultural and farming activities and leakage of sewage system. Temporal groundwater fluctuations indicates that recharge processes decrease the concentration of ions in groundwater by mixing of infiltrated fresh water with groundwater. Factor analysis revealed that the two main factors of 80.68% and 79.95% of total variance for both years. These factors indicate the impact of irrigation return flows, human disposals and usage of K+ and NO3- fertilizers. Electrical conductivity, pH and the concentration of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+,…
author: Nethononda, Vhonani G.
keywords: irrigation --water quality --groundwater --catchment areas --South Africa
license: https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/415248bc-b1cd-4d34-b522-fa841a18b2e9/download
date published: 2018
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:17:11Z
provider: University of Zululand
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zululand