Abstract:
The study area is located in Chenab Nagar, Chiniot,Punjab. Groundwater has
been explored using electrical resistivity survey, physicochemical and isotopic
analysis. Groundwater table depth and subsurface geology has been studied by
acquiring the subsurface resistivity data using ABEM SAS 4000 terrameter up to
100m by Schlumberger configuration and interpreted with the help of resistivity
curves generated in IX1D software. The groundwater samples have been collected
from the already present water wells as per guidelines given by the American Public
Health Association (APHA). The samples have been analyzed for turbidity, pH,
Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Calcium (Ca),
Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Bicarbonate (HCO3), Chloride
(Cl),and Sulphate (SO4) from the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and
Technology (PINSTECH), Nilore, Islamabad. The lithologies determined by the
electrical resistivity surveysuggest presence of confined and unconfined aquifers
made up of Quaternary sand depositsseparated by the clay confining layers. The water
table is present at relatively shallow depth 10 to 45 m that makes it susceptible to
contamination.The physicochemical parameters furnished that the groundwater
quality is poor to marginal according to the World Health Organization
(WHO).Correlation analysis of major cations and anions with TDS (Total Dissolved
Solids)revealed that groundwater recharge source is similar for all samples. With the
study of stable environmental isotopes (δ2H, δ18O) recharge source is identified as
precipitation. Groundwater present in this area can be brought to use for public with
the setup of proper treatment plants that do not add toxic materials to water.
