DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14724737

Impact of Mineral Processing and other Industries on Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of Baldia Town, Karachi, Pakistan

Muhammad Tajuddin¹, Adnan Khan^1*, Syed Wasi Haider²

¹Department of Geology, University of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

²Institute of Space Science & Technology, University of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

* Corresponding author Email: adkhan@uok.edu.pk

Abstract: The aim of the present study is to assess the groundwater quality of western parts of Baldia Town, Karachi, for drinking purpose. For this purpose, groundwater samples (n = 25) were collected from boring wells at various depths (55–250 feet) for physiochemical analysis. Quantitative assessment was carried out including physical (temperature, pH, Eh, TDS, hardness) and chemical parameters (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg,2+ Fe2+, Pb2+, Cr5+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Co,2+ Cl-, NO₃-, SO₄2-, HCO₃-). Major cations varied in the order of Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ while anions in the order of Cl- > SO₄2- > HCO₃- > NO₃-. The concentration of trace elements declined in the order of Ni2+ > Fe2+ > Cr5+ > Cu2+ > Mn2+ > Pb2+ > Co2+. The analytical results revealed the occurrence of extremely high TDS (Range: 2070 to 6650 mg/l; Mean: 3768 mg/l) and hardness content (Range: 1000 to 3200 mg/l; mean: 1900 mg/l). The pH varied between 6.49 and 7.31 (mean: 6.86), while Eh span between +199 to +473 mV (mean +267 mV). Temperature of the collected groundwater samples was 27±1°C indicating alluvial aquifers. About 52% wells are found to be microbially contaminated. Furthermore, all major ions exceeded the permissible limits set by WHO for drinking water. The mean concentrations of all minor/trace elements were within the permissible limits set by the WHO. The calculated Water Quality Index (WQI = 109) indicated that the groundwater in the study area is unfit for drinking, irrigation, or industrial purposes.

Keywords:  Physicochemical parameters, Groundwater quality, Water quality index, Karachi.

International Journal of Ground Sediment & Water

ISSN: 2372-0743 (print) ISSN: 2373-2989 (on line)

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