Title: Hydrogeochemical mapping in the Kodayar Sub-basin of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu using geospatial techniques

Authors: K. Priya

Addresses: Department of Marine Geology, Mangalore University, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 574199, India

Abstract: Hydrogeochemical mapping is essential for understanding groundwater quality and distribution, particularly in regions where water resources are vital for both ecological balance and human consumption. This study focuses on the Kodaiyar Sub-basin in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, using geospatial techniques to assess groundwater quality. The study area spans latitudes 8°13'42.019''N to 8°34'11.974''N and longitudes 77°5'39.03''E to 77°31'20.908''E. The findings reveal spatially variable water quality, influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, with varying potassium (K) concentrations ranging from 1-37 mg/l. A water quality index (WQI) was developed to comprehensively assess the water quality based on parameters like pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and ion concentrations. The results highlight the suitability of groundwater for agricultural use and ecosystem health in the region. Future work could focus on integrating real-time groundwater monitoring and machine learning models to predict water quality trends in the Kodaiyar Sub-basin.

Keywords: hydrogeochemical mapping; Kodayar Sub-basin; water quality index; WQI; inverse distance weighting; IDW; total dissolved solids; TDS; Kanyakumari.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2026.153971

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2026 Vol.40 No.1, pp.85 - 116

Received: 10 Feb 2025
Accepted: 26 Mar 2025
Published online: 09 Jun 2026 *

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