Assessment of Subsurface water Contamination in Coastal Part of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The use of subsurface water for various purposes is steadily increasing across the globe. With this growing reliance, the prevention of contamination and effective management of subsurface water resources have become essential—especially given their limited availability in many regions. In this context, a comprehensive study was carried out to evaluate the groundwater quality in Jadavalli village, situated in Ponnur Mandal of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. The study area is geologically characterized by clay and sand deposits from the Recent era, with groundwater occurring under unconfined conditions. The groundwater was evaluated based on several physico-chemical parameters, many of which were found to exceed the standard limits for drinking water. Additionally, analyses using Residual Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Absorption Ratio methods revealed that the groundwater is unsuitable for irrigation purposes. This study aims to understand the geochemical processes influencing subsurface water quality and proposes appropriate precautionary measures to enhance and protect groundwater quality in the region.