Assessing groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation through hydrogeochemical and multivariate statistical approaches in the Mathur region

This study investigates groundwater quality controls and seasonal dynamics in the Mathur watershed. Analysis confirms rock-water interaction dominates water chemistry, resulting in a consistent Ca-Mg-HCO3 type. Monsoonal recharge provides regional dilution, reducing Nitrate (NO3) contamination, yet fails to alleviate pervasive quality hazards. Quality is severely constrained by high geogenic hardness (Mg exceedances) and the integration of anthropogenic inputs post-recharge (Na and NO3). Spatially, the trend analysis identifies the eastern part as the primary zone of high solute risk. Consequently, the groundwater is only moderately suitable for irrigation due to high salinity. Crucially, seasonal analysis revealed an unfavorable shift toward Very High Salinity/Medium Sodium hazard post-monsoon, indicating recharge facilitates sodium mobilization. Effective management must target the eastern zone to mitigate persistent geogenic contaminants and require strategic irrigation practices to control increasing salinity and sodium risks.