Refining aquifer heterogeneity and understanding groundwater recharge sources in an intensively exploited agrarian dominated region of the Ganga Plain

Abstract

Densely populated region of Ganga Plain is facing aquifer vulnerability through waterborne pollutants and groundwater stress due to indiscriminate abstraction, causing environmental and socio-economic instabilities. To address long-term groundwater resilience, it is crucial to understand aquifer heterogeneity and connectivity, groundwater recharge sources, effects of groundwater abstraction etc. In this context, present study aims to understand factors responsible for vertical and spatial variability of groundwater chemistry and to identify groundwater recharge sources in an intensively exploited agrarian region of the Ganga Plain.

Keywords

Stable isotopes / Hydrogeochemical attributes / Groundwater recharge sources / Ganga Plain

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