An Appraisal of Groundwater resources and its Hydrochemistry in Ladnun Block of Nagaur District, Central part of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Groundwater is an important source that provides support to all habitants in the arid to semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. The current study contributes to the rising demand for potable water in Ladnun block in the northern part of Nagaur district; situated in the central part of Rajasthan. This paper concentrates on the Evaluation of the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical aspects of groundwater in the Ladnun block which encompasses three notable aquifers: Older Alluvium, Bilara Limestone, and Jodhpur sandstone. An attempt was made to understand the groundwater quality as well as its suitability for drinking and other uses by using the water quality parameters. A comprehensive assessment of water quality parameters in groundwater samples were carried out; collected from 34 different locations in the study area in the year 2018 to 2022. Most of the villages of the study area are affected by more, TDS, and salinity hazards which are harmful to human health. Groundwater quality is slightly hard and brackish to saline in the block due to ancient seawater entrapped in sediments, Halite, and higher-order evaporite mineral deposits. According to WQI most of the water sample falls into the unsuitable category. Therefore, the study area recommended artificial recharge of groundwater and rainwater harvesting to overcome the water demand for drinking purposes

Introduction

1. Geographic and Climatic Overview:

• Rajasthan is India's largest state (342,239 sq. km), making up 10.4% of the country’s area.

• It is characterized by arid to semi-arid climate with highly variable rainfall and includes a significant part of the Thar Desert.

• Nagaur district, centrally located in Rajasthan, covers 17,778 sq. km and is surrounded by seven other districts.

• The Ladnun block, the study area, is in the northern part of Nagaur, covering 1,448.83 sq. km.

2. Geology:

• Dominated by formations from the Precambrian to Recent, including the Marwar Supergroup (Jodhpur, Bilara, Nagaur Groups).

• Other significant geological units include Malani Igneous Suite, Aravalli and Delhi Supergroups, and Tertiary lignite.

• Thar Desert landscape comprises aeolian sands, serpentinite, gabbro, and other igneous and metamorphic rocks.

3. Hydrogeology:

• The region has consolidated, semi-consolidated, and unconsolidated formations.

• Six major aquifers are found in Nagaur: Tertiary Sandstone, Nagaur Sandstone, Bilara Limestone, Jodhpur Sandstone, Granite Gneiss, and Schists.

• In Ladnun block, aquifers include Older Alluvium, Jodhpur Sandstone, Bilara Limestone, and Schists.

  • Groundwater depth: ranges from 27 m (alluvium) to 80 m (sandstone).

  • Yields vary from 75 to 300 m³/day depending on formation.

  • Groundwater flow is SE to NW.

4. Hydrochemistry and Groundwater Quality:

• Extensive groundwater sampling (34 villages) shows widespread contamination, particularly with:

  a. Nitrate (NO?):

  • High levels in most villages; only 20.58% within desirable limits.

  • Values range from 4 mg/l (Balddoo) to 330 mg/l (Anesriya).

  • Main sources: fertilizer runoff, sewage, organic decomposition.

  b. Chloride (Cl?):

  • 97.05% of samples exceed the 250 mg/l safe limit.

  • Concentrations range from 70 ppm (Balddoo) to 10,900 ppm (Kusumbi).

  • Indicates salinity and hardness in water, with health risks.

  c. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):

  • 91.17% of samples exceed the emergency limit of 2000 mg/l.

  • TDS ranges from 366 ppm to 24,500 ppm, making water unfit for consumption in most villages.

  d. Electrical Conductivity (EC):

  • Only 2.95% of sources are in the fresh to slightly brackish category.

  • 44.12% are very highly saline, with EC > 8000 µS/cm.

  e. Fluoride (F?):

  • Widespread contamination; 64% of Nagaur villages affected.

  • In Ladnun, fluoride levels range from 0.5 to 7.1 mg/l (average ~2.7 mg/l).

  • Health impacts include dental and skeletal fluorosis, reproductive issues, and metabolic dysfunctions.

  • Fluoride Classification in Ladnun Block:

    • Category I (<1.0 mg/l): 5%

    • Category II (1.0–1.5 mg/l): 15%

    • Category III (1.5–3.0 mg/l): 45%

    • Category IV (3.0–5.0 mg/l): 22.5%

    • Category V (>5.0 mg/l): 12.5%

Conclusion

The excessive utilization of groundwater in the Ladnun block, combined with insufficient replenishment of groundwater, has led to the decline of the water table, depletion of aquifers, and degradation of groundwater quality. Hence, it is advisable to implement appropriate strategies for preservation and prudent schemes for managing groundwater. Large-scale implementation of artificial recharge methods is necessary to enhance groundwater resources. This can be achieved through practices such as rooftop rainwater harvesting and other viable water harvesting systems commonly used in the region (Figures: 6 and 7), (Quereshi and Vyas, 2017) such as Talab, Nadi, Tanka, Pond, Bawari, Percolation tanks, and other suitable recharge structures. Developing a lift canal from the main Indira Gandhi Canal in the high-fluoride concentrated groundwater area will soon provide an alternative to using surface water for drinking and irrigation purposes. (Chauhan and Vyas, 2021).

References

Arif, M., Hussain, J., Hussain, I. and Kumar, S., 2013. An investigation of fluoride distribution in Ladnu block of Nagaur district, Central Rajasthan. World Applied Sciences Journal, 26(12), 1610-1616. [2] Bureau of Indian Standards. (1992) Indian Standard Drinking Water Specification (First Revision) I S 10500: 1-8 [3] Chauhan, D. and Vyas, A. (2021) Hydrogeological Studies of Degana Block in Nagaur District of Rajasthan, India. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IGRASET). ISSN: 2321-9653; Volume 9 Issue I Jan 2021. pp. 585-589. [4] Chauhan, D. and Vyas, A. (2022) An appraisal of Hydrogeological Conditions and Fluoride problem in Degana Block of Nagaur District, Rajasthan, India. Periodic Research, P: ISSN No. 2231-0045, E: ISSN No. 2349-9435 VOL.- XI, ISSUE- II November – 2022, RNI No. UPBIL/2012/55438. [5] Das, P.K., Malik, S.D. 1988. Groundwater of Khatra region of Bankura district, West Bengal: Some chemical aspects in reference to its utilization. J. Ind. Water Res. Soc., 8(3): 31–41. [6] Gaur, C. P. and Vyas, A. (2007) Sustainable development of mineral resources of Nagaur district, Rajasthan, India. In: P. C. Avadich and H. Bhu (eds.) Emerging trends of research in geology with special reference to Northwestern India. Proceeding of National seminar organized by Department of Geology, M.L.Sukhadia University, Udaipur. pp.191-199. [7] GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, JAIPUR. (2011) Miscellaneous Publication No. 30 Part 12 3rd Revised Edition, 2011 pp. 3-4 ISSN 0579-4706 PGSI. 327 700-2010 (DSK-II) © Govt. of India. [8] Gouran, H.K. and Vyas, A. (1998) Groundwater resources of Nagaur district, part IV, Groundwater assessment, State Groundwater Department, Nagaur, Rajasthan, India. 150 p. (Unpublished report). [9] G.W.D., Rajasthan. (2022) Groundwater level scenario in Rajasthan- 2021 (pre and Post Monsoon Survey - 2021), DSPC, Groundwater Department, Jodhpur.231p. [10] Hussain, J., Sharma, K. C., Arif, M., and Hussain, I. (2007) Fluoride distribution and Modeling using best subset procedure in Nagaur District of central Rajasthan, India. Abstracts of papers accepted for XXVIIth Conference of the ISFR, October 9–12, 2007; Bejing, China. Conference abstracts. Fluoride 40 (4). Abstract number: 37. October-December, 2007. 259–292. [11] Maanju, S. K., Vyas, A., Paliwal, B.S., Sinha, A.K., Mittal, G.S., Gaur, C.P. and Khan, H. (2003) Appraisal of the impact of high fluoride groundwater on human health: A case study. Extended Abstract, International Conference on Soil and Groundwater Contamination and cleanup in Arid Countries.20-23 January 2003. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.pp.29-30. [12] Machoy, Z., Dabkowska, E., and Nowicka, W. (1991) Increased fluoride content in mandibular bones of deer living in industrial regions in Poland. Env. Geochem. and Health. 13 (3), pp. 161-163. [13] Meena V. P. and Vyas A. (2023) Hydrogeological Studies of Ladnun Block in Nagaur District of Rajasthan, India International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET) ISSN: 2321-9653; Volume 11 Issue XII, Dec 2023- Available at www.ijraset.com., pp. 1824 -1832. [14] Ozha, D. D., Mathur, K. M. L., and Golani, F. M. (2003) Scourge of High Fluoride in groundwaters of Arid Rajasthan and Strategy of its Mitigation. Asian J. Exp. Sci. Vol. 17, No. 1 & 2, 2003, pp. 43-49. [15] Paliwal, B. S. (1999) Geology of the region to the west of Aravalli Mountain-Some observation. In: B.S. Paliwal (Ed) Geological evolution of Northwestern [16] India. Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur. PP. 387-414. [17] Paliwal, B. S. and Paliwal, S. C. (2010) Depleting Groundwater Resources in the great Thar Desert of India. In: B.S. Paliwal (Ed) Global – Groundwater Resources and Management. Selected Papers from The 33rd International Geological Congress, General Symposium: Hydrogeology, Oslo (Norway) Aug. 6- 14, 2008.Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur, pp. 1-38. [18] Quereishi, J. R., and Vyas, A. (2017) Sustainable development of vegetation and Groundwater in Didwana Block of Nagaur district, central part of Rajasthan, India. Multi-disciplinary International Journal Remarking An Analisation. ISSN No. (E) 2455 – 0817, ISSN No. (P) 2394 – 0344. Vol 2. Issue – 8, November, 2017. pp. 17 – 23. [19] Ramesh, K., Soorya, V. 2012. Hydrochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Groundwater Quality in and around Hosur, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, India. Int. J. Res. Chem. Environ., 2(3): 113–122. [20] Singh, C., and Seimbi, C. S. (1988) Some new interdisciplinary approaches to an understanding of the problem of fluoride vis-à-vis man, animal and environment. Indian Jour. Env. Health. 30 (2) pp163-167. [21] Susheela, A.K. (1999) Fluorosis management program in India. Curr. Sci. 77 (10) 1250-1256. [22] Tank, A. and Vyas, A. (2019). Groundwater Potential and Quality in Makrana block of Nagaur District, in the central part of Rajasthan, India. India Journal of Applied Research. Vol. 9, Issue- 2. Print ISSN - 2249-555X. pp.- 5-7. [23] Underwood, E.J. (1977) Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. Academic press.545p. [24] UNICEF (2001) Fight Fluorosis and Save Our Children, UNICEF-HT.Publ.16 p. [25] Vyas, A. (1999) Groundwater resources of Nagaur district, in the central part of Rajasthan, India. In: A. M. Baride, M. V. Baride and J. B. Panwar (Eds.) Session vol., National seminar on Dhule (M) Groundwater and Watershed development, at Dhule, (M.S.), India. Jan.11-12, 1999. Jai Hind College, Dhule. (M.S.) India. pp. 97-106. [26] Vyas, A. (2010) Hydrogeological studies of Degana Block of the Nagaur district, the central part of Rajasthan, India. Journal of Applied Geochemistry. Vol.12 No.2 (2010). Indian Society of Applied Geochemists (ISAG) Hyderabad. pp.272-281. [27] Vyas, A. (2015) Fluoride contamination in Groundwater of Nagaur District, Rajasthan and Health Hazards: A Review. In: K. L. Shrivastava and P. K. Srivastava (Eds.). Frontiers of Earth Science, Pre-conference volume - The Indian Science Congress Symposium in Earth Science, Mumbai. Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur. pp. 287-296. [28] Vyas, A., Mittal, G. S. and Gaur, C. P. (2015) Lignite Deposits of the Bikaner – Nagaur Basin, around Matasukh-Kasnau in Nagaur District of Rajasthan. Jour. Geol. Soc., India, Vol. 86(6), pp. 742-746 [29] Vyas, A. and Paliwal, B. S. (2001) Hydrogeological studies of the Nagaur District, Rajasthan, India. In: H. Bhu and V. Agrawal (eds.) Groundwater Resources, Evaluation and Management. Proceeding of the National Seminar on Groundwater Resources. Department of Geology, M.L.S. University, Udaipur.pp.233-243. [30] Vyas, A. and Vyas, K. (2023). Groundwater Resources of Rajasthan: Status and the Management. In: A. K. Shandilya, Y. K. Mawale and V. Singh (eds.) Peninsula Geology and Environment, Oxford Book Company, Delhi. Vol. .2. pp.231- 242. [31] W.H.O. (1971) Fluoride. In: McGraw-Hill Encyclopaedia of Science and Technology, Vol. 5, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. [32] W.H.O. (1984) Fluorine and Fluorides: Environmental Health Criteria. W.H.O., Geneva.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Vijay Pal Meena, Arun Vyas. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.