Delineation of groundwater potential zones and its extent of contamination from the hard rock aquifers in west-Bengal, India.

This study evaluates the groundwater potential and quality in the parts of Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex situated in the East Indian Shield. The region has faced groundwater development challenges for several decades. Therefore, in the study area, it is crucial to address the depletion of both groundwater quality and quantity, as this facilitates the identification of potential uncontaminated groundwater zones. The present study interprets the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) utilizing an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) integrated with hydrogeochemical analysis. Several thematic maps were prepared to delineate the GPWZ. It has been found that ∼0.6% of the study area has a very good potential zone, 14.4% has good, 52% has moderate, and approximately 32% and 0.9% have low to very low prospective groundwater resources, respectively. The authentication of results was found to be excellent (91.4%) with the Area Under Curve (AUC). Analysis of hydrogeochemical data suggests that Mixed Ca–Na–HCO 3 , Mixed Ca–Mg–Cl, Ca–HCO 3 , and Na–Cl are the dominant water types in the study area. The principal component analysis suggests that Na+, Mg2+, Cl−, NO 3 −, and SO 4 2− significantly contribute to groundwater chemistry. The K-means clustering and hierarchical cluster analysis classified groundwater samples into three clusters based on the hydrogeochemical characteristics. It is inferred that silicate weathering and reverse ion reactions through rock-water interaction control geogenic processes for groundwater chemistry. It is also inferred that regions with poor to unsuitable water quality indexes also have low GWPZ. Further, groundwater for irrigation is also accessed and found unsuitable at some locations. This research contributes to comprehending groundwater characteristics in analogous geological regions globally. Additionally, it assists in implementing preventive actions to mitigate groundwater contamination, consequently lowering health risks and formulating sustainable plans for the future. • Remote sensing and GIS, and field data to assess groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) and understand the geochemical behaviour. • Groundwater facies has been comprehended utilizing hydrogeochemical fingerprinting and statistical modeling. • Linked low GWPZ to poor water quality, emphasizing the impact of over-extraction on groundwater deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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