Some physico-chemical characters of groundwater in some (selected) water supply wells in the Jaffna peninsula

Nanthini, T; Mikunthan, T.; Vijayaratnam, R.

doi:10.4038/jnsfsr.v29i1-2.2621

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The porous limestone geology of aquifers is recharged directly by rainfall, which percolates through the fissures and floats as mound-shaped lenses on top of a denser layer of seawater. Significant imbalance has been noted between the draw-off and recharge rate and several studies have reported higher electrical conductivity (EC) values in the groundwater of the Jaffna peninsula [25][26][27][28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, documentation on the long-term effects of salinity on coastal paddy fields remains limited. Most of the coastal studies that have researched and examined water quality parameters, including salinity levels in groundwater systems in the area, have focused on a specific period [30] or short term [27,[31][32][33], the longest period being a one year trend [23,26,34]. This present study is aimed at investigating the spatial and temporal changes in groundwater salinity of Jaffna Peninsula over the last two decades.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

2020

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Salinization is an explicit global threat faced by coastal low lands. The increased seawater ingression into groundwater due to various climatic and anthropogenic factors affects functioning of ecosystems, biodiversity and the sustainability of coastal agriculture. This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in groundwater salinity in Jaffna Peninsula over a 20-year period and its relationship with paddy land abandonment. Permanently abandoned paddy areas were mapped using historical Landsat images, while groundwater salinity changes in 63 agricultural wells for the period 1999 to 2019 were analysed. The trend in salinity, including proximity to the coast, was examined. The results showed that approximately 8178 ha (43% of total paddy land) of paddy lands had been permanently abandoned while the groundwater salinity had increased by 1.6-fold over the last two decades. An increasing salinity trend with decreasing distance from the coast was observed. Presently, nearly 59% of the wells showed salinity levels that were unsuitable for crop irrigation. The results underline the need for urgent and effective management of groundwater resources in order to maintain the sustainability of the existing paddy lands and ensure availability of potable water for consumption along the coastal low land areas of Jaffna Peninsula.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

2020

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“…Here again the high levels of nitrate in well waters were attributed to the leached nitrogen fertilizers used in the intensive agriculture practised in the peninsula. Nanthini et al (2001) studied the physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater in some selected water supply wells in the Jaffna Peninsula. The study was mainly directed towards assessing the water for human consumption with respect to colour, turbidity, chloride, iron, sulphites, pH and electrical conductivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation of water table and groundwater quality of the karst aquifer of the Jaffna Peninsula-Sri Lanka

Joshua¹,

Thushyanthy²,

Nanthagoban

2013

J. Natn. Sci. Foundation Sri Lanka

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Abstract:The Miocene limestone bedrock of the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka extends below the sea level and is an into the soil and forms a layer of freshwater in the limestone above the seawater. This freshwater is in the form of a convex lens, which thins out towards the coast and the lower part of the lens is a transitional zone where the freshwater becomes increasingly brackish with depth. The thickness of the lens freshwater in the lens is able to sustain irrigation and domestic usage till the end of the dry season. The groundwater has an abundance of calcium and bicarbonate ions, the varying concentrations of which affects the pH, causing it to vary from neutral to slightly alkaline. The concentrations of chloride ions increase with the depth of the transition zone as well as towards the coast. The nitrate contents of the well water are higher in the urban areas due to contamination from septic tanks and also in intensively cultivated farm areas where high amounts of nitrogen fertilizers are used. In some wells, both the chloride and nitrate concentrations do exceed the WHO standards for safe drinking water. Thus, the quality of well water is site transition zone and the surrounding environment.

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“…Nearly half of the population (Nanthini et al, 2001) in Jaffna peninsula depends with tube well water or dug well water for their drinking purposes. The average annual groundwater recharge was 569,624 m 3 from April 2007 to March 2008 and the average annual groundwater withdrawal was 661,635 m 3 resulting a negative water balance of 92,011 m 3 (Nanthini et al, 2001). There is an imbalance between extraction and recharge of groundwater.…”

Section: Groundwater Usage In Jaffna Peninsulamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is necessary to monitor the quantity and quality of water stored and extracted from these aquifers (Mikunthan et al, 2013). Due to intensive domestic usage (250 L/day per capita), higher inorganic fertilizer use, resettlement and urbanization deteriorate water quality (Nanthini et al, 2001). There should be a monitoring system in the water management to assist long term planning of water supply in Jaffna peninsula.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrate contamination of groundwater: An issue for livelihood in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Prabagar¹,

Prabagar²,

Thuraisingam³

2020

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Groundwater stored in large cavities and channels of Miocene limestone is the only source of portable water in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. It is increasingly exploited and polluted by various contaminants that results in less availability of potable water. Nitrate contamination in drinking water is one of the major concerns which causes severe health impacts, such as methemoglobinemia especially in infants and oesophageal and stomach cancers. The current nitrate levels in drinking water in Jaffna peninsula are much higher than the WHO and SLS levels. The nitrate-N content of groundwater in the Jaffna Peninsula ranges from 0.1 to 45 mg/L as per the literature though the permissible nitrate-N level in drinking water is 10 mg/L. Further, the nitrate concentration in groundwater varies seasonally and is found to be higher during the wet season than the dry season. Research studies carried out at different localities in the Peninsula from 1983 to 2018 have shown that nitrate content of groundwater has increased over this period. A recent investigation in the Chunnakam area revealed nitrate-N level of 45 ppm. Hence, nitrate contamination of groundwater in the Jaffna Peninsula is found to be the most challenging issue in the water management system.

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Some physico-chemical characters of groundwater in some (selected) water supply wells in the Jaffna peninsula

Cited by 6 publications

References 3 publications

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Trend of Groundwater Salinity in Jaffna Peninsula and Its Link to Paddy Land Abandonment

Seasonal variation of water table and groundwater quality of the karst aquifer of the Jaffna Peninsula-Sri Lanka

Nitrate contamination of groundwater: An issue for livelihood in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

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