Assessment of groundwater contamination from land-use/cover change in rural-urban fringe of national capital territory of Delhi (India)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between groundwater depletion/pollution and land-use/cover change in rural-urban fringe of Delhi, where agro-ecosystems and populations are dependent on access to reliable groundwater supplies. Results indicate a significant relationship between high proportionate decrease in groundwater and land being removed from irrigation. The higher values of most of the parameters were found in the agricultural field and industrial area. The study results suggest that most of the elements exceeding the general acceptable limit. This indicates the land-use/cover change from agriculture to industrial and residential area and also the impact of excess use of chemical fertilizer/pesticides in agricultural land.