Assessment of ground water in a coastal village of West Bengal using geo-electrical method

Abstract: The ground water quality and potential at different depths can be assessed through resistivity soundings and geochemical data. Therefore, Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) assuming Schlumberger configuration were carried out in 12 locations in a sea water inundated village (Kanthalberia) of Coastal West Bengal. Ground water samples were also collected from nearby tube wells. Five geo-electrical layers were found out in the area within a depth of 80 m below ground level. The VES data from one point were compared with bore hole data to assign resistivity values to different layers. The inter relationship between longitudinal unit conductance (S) and EC of ground water samples showed that EC values increased linearly with S values. Chemical analysis of ground water samples showed that the quality of water was good with low salinity and low alkali hazard and could be grouped as C3S1 under USDA irrigation water quality classification. The approximate quantity of ground water in the study area was computed to be 2.5 ha-m using resistivity fence diagram.