Hydro-chemical Evolution and Groundwater Quality Dynamics under the Influence of Narmada Canal Irrigation in the Sanchore Region of Jalore District, Rajasthan, India

Groundwater is the main and last source of water for residential and agricultural use. The present paper deals with the influence of Narmada Canal irrigation system in the dry zone of low rainfall regions of the western Rajasthan namely the Sanchore area of Jalore district on ground water recharge, agricultural development and chemical features of the water. The present study deals with the assessment of hydro-chemical composition and groundwater quality in the command area of canal irrigation. Groundwater samples were collected from selected villages and analyzed for key physicochemical parameters like pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Calcium, Magnesium, Bicarbonate, Chloride, Sulfate, Nitrate and Fluoride using standard analytical methods. The results showed that the Groundwater is generally neutral to slightly alkaline and the dissolved ion concentrations showed significant regional variation due to water-rock interactions, mineral dissolution, evaporation, canal seepage, irrigation return flow and agricultural activities. The results of the study show that the hydro-chemical character of groundwater in the area is controlled by natural geochemical processes and anthropogenic activities. The present study will be helpful in analyzing the groundwater quality, sustainable irrigation, water resource planning and long-term groundwater management in the Narmada Canal command region of western Rajasthan.