Abstract

To assess groundwater iron and manganese occurrence and distribution from the study area 36 sampling locations were identified from the Chandrapur district, central India. The grab sampling method was adopted for groundwater sampling. Heavy metals concentration for iron and manganese were estimated by ICP-OES. Groundwater sources are divided into six levels and heavy metals concentration occurrence and distribution are assessed. It is found that in all three seasons iron and manganese concentration occurred in groundwater. The distribution of iron in groundwater depth has a resemblance in all three seasons. At water source depth 50-100 ft bgl first higher concentration was recorded followed by 250-300 ft bgl. Winter reported maximum concentration among the season studied. Maximum average iron concentration (5.398 mg/L) is observed at water source depth 51-100 ft bgl in winter. In the case of groundwater manganese as water source depth increases from ground level the concentration decrease. The first higher concentration is recorded at 100-150 ft bgl followed by 250-300 ft bgl. Maximum average manganese concentration (0.383 mg/L) is observed at water source depth 251-300 ft bgl in winter. The distribution of iron and manganese according to depth is comparable in three seasons. Sandstone and granitic geneisses contributed the maximum to groundwater iron concentration whereas granitic geneisses, sandstone, and limestone contributed the maximum for groundwater manganese.

Key Words: Iron, Manganese, Groundwater quality, Heavy metal, Chandrapur, Central India