The effect of high tide-low tide on well water quality Mueang District, Chumporn province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze an effect of rising and falling sea levels on groundwater qualities from different wells in Chumphon province. The water samples were collected from (1) three wells (no.1, 2, 3) which were not more than 2 km, from the sea and (2) three wells (no.4, 5, 6) which were located more than 10 km. from the sea. A total of 12 samples of water were collected twice a day from six wells and were analyzed for Chloride (Cl-), pH, Temperature (Temp.) Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), and Electrical Conductivity (EC). The results showed a significant difference of Cl- and temp when compared between rising and falling sea levels without consideration of distance. The mean value of Cl- from all six wells was 3.04 mg/l and the average temperature was 1.44 ºc. There were no significant differences for the other three variables (pH, TDS, and EC). The chloride concentration was between 16.0-8.0 mg/l, which was lower than the World Health Organization standard chloride value of 250 mg/l. The pH was in a range of 5.3-7.3, total dissolved solids were 19.5-264, Electrical conductivity was between 48-541 μs/m, and the temperature was 27.2-30.55 ºc. It was found that the water quality of well 1, well 3, and well 5 had pH values of 5.3, 6.2 and 6.0, respectively, which is lower than the standard for groundwater quality. This could be because all three wells are located at the 16th and 25th soil series, Which has highly acidic properties.