Open AccessNatural and Anthropogenic Sources of Groundwater Salinization in Parts of Karachi, Pakistan
Author(s) -
Sanober Rafi,
Owais Niaz,
Shahid Naseem,
Umair Majeed,
Humaira Naz
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of economic and environment geology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2223-957X
DOI - 10.46660/ojs.v10i1.213
Subject(s) - groundwater , environmental science , urbanization , natural (archaeology) , hydrology (agriculture) , water quality , seawater intrusion , seawater , soil salinity , intrusion , pollution , water resource management , groundwater pollution , geology , aquifer , soil science , soil water , oceanography , ecology , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , geochemistry , biology
This study is aimed to evaluate the groundwater quality of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Liaquatabad towns inKarachi. Thirty (n=30) groundwater samples were randomly collected from different locations by electrically pumpedwells at various depths (14-91m). All the water samples were analyzed to determine their suitability for drinkingpurpose based on various physicochemical parameters. Data reveal that high concentration of TDS and hardness havedeteriorated the groundwater quality of study area. The main phenomenon responsible for groundwater pollution is theseawater intrusion due to the proximity of study area to the Arabian sea. Large scale unplanned urbanization, poorwaste management and other anthropogenic activities have also triggered the deterioration of groundwater quality.Study showed that local geology plays vital role in the distribution of major cations and anions. Data suggested thatground water of this study area is highly contaminated by seawater intrusion and considered not fit for drinkingpurpose.