Groundwater quality on the territory of Kikinda municipality (Vojvodina, Serbia)

Abstract

This paper provides insight into the quality of groundwater used for public water supply on the territory of Kikinda municipality (Vojvodina, Serbia) and main processes which control it. The following parameters were measured: color, turbidity, pH, KMnO4 consumption, TDS, EC, NH4 (+), Cl-, NO2 (-), NO3 (-), Fe, Mn, total hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO4 (2+), HCO3 (-), K+, Na+, As. The correlations and ratios among parameters that define the chemical composition were determined aiming to identify main processes that control the formation of the chemical composition of the analyzed waters. Groundwater from 11 analyzed sources is Na-HCO3 type. Intense color and elevated organic matter content of these waters originate from humic substances. The importance of organic matter decay is assumed by positive correlation between organic matter content and TDS, HCO3 content. There is no evidence that groundwater chemistry is determined by the depth of captured aquifer interval. The main processes that control the chemistry of all analyzed water are cation exchange and feldspar weathering.