A Hydrogeological Appraisal Of Upper Gondwana Formation

Water is indispensable for the existence and survival of life on the Earth. Increasing population and mounting living standards necessitate higher quality water resources for various uses. As groundwater is the largest available source of fresh water, it has become crucial, not only to find out groundwater potential zone, but also to monitor and conserve this vital resource. The water bodies are continuously subjected to dynamic state of change with respect to lithological characteristics and geo-climatic condition. For efficient management of these water resources, information regarding the water quality and its variability are required. The present study is to access the groundwater quality and suitability of Athgarh basin of Upper Gondwana formation, Odisha. Which forms a very important stratigraphic unit known as the ¿Upper Gondwanä, in Indian stratigraphy. The study area has been considered as the northern-most extension of the east-coast Upper Gondwana sediment. It consists of a thick pile of fresh water fluviatile and lacustrine sediments. The major exposures are found along large faulted troughs of Mahanadi valley.