Hydrochemistry for the assessment of groundwater quality in the Kathua region, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract Groundwater is a vital natural resource in the Kathua region of Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India, where it used for domestic, irrigation, industrial purposes. The main purpose this study was to assess hydrochemistry groundwater determine its suitability drinking, uses region. In study, 75 samples were collected analyzed physicochemical parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids , pH, various cations anions. data computed designing quality index know drinking EC, sodium percentage, permeability index, magnesium hazard assessed evaluate irrigation. Further, corrosivity ratio find criteria comprehensive results obtained from water indicate that almost all are suitable drinking. ionic abundance order Ca 2+ > Na + Mg K cations, HCO 3 − SO 4 2 Cl NO anions, respectively. Piper diagram shows dominated by alkaline earth metals (Ca ) weak acids (HCO ). According Gibbs diagram, chemistry mainly controlled rock–water interaction process, indicating most area bicarbonate type. EC classify excellent good; percentage also indicates fit Wilcox USSLS diagrams, majority irrigation with few exceptions. depicts there (19%), which unsuitable ratio, 65 safe use while remaining 10 considered be unsafe. Thus, found can