Assessment of hydrochemical evolution of ground water through silica geothermometry in a part of Ganga basin

Abstract

The hydrogeochemical processes and hydrogeochemistry of the ground water vary spatially and temporally, depending on the geology and chemical characteristics of the aquifer. Fresh groundwaters flowing through different aquifers may be identified and differentiated by their characteristic salinity levels and ionic ratios (Rosenthal, 1987). Changes in chemical characteristics of ground water in different aquifers over space and time often serve as an important technique in deciphering a geochemical model of the hydrological system (Cheboterev, 1955; Hem, 1959; Back and Hanshaw, 1965; Gibbs, 1970; Srinivasamoorthy, 2005; Srinivasamoorthy et al., 2008; Dehnavi et al., 2011). An understanding of geochemical evolution of ground water is important for a sustainable development of water resources for any region; in this connection, an attempt was made to assess the hydrochemical characteristics and chemical alteration of ground water in the study area.