A proposed new diagram for geochemical classification of natural waters and interpretation of chemical data

A new hydrochemical diagram is proposed for classification of natural waters and identification of hydrochemical processes. The proposed diagram differs from the Piper and expanded Durov diagrams in that the two equilateral triangles are omitted, and the shape of the main study field is different. In addition, the proposed diagram can be constructed on most spreadsheet software packages. The proposed diagram is constructed by plotting the difference in milliequivalent percentage between alkaline earths and alkali metals, expressed as percentage reacting values, on the X axis; and the difference in milliequivalent percentage between weak acidic anions and strong acidic anions, also expressed as percentage reacting values, on the Y axis, The milliequivalent percentage differences from the X and Y co-ordinates are extended further into the main study sub-fields of the proposed diagram, which defines the overall character of water. Examples of hydrochemical analyses of groundwater are given from Karnataka. India, for each of the three types of diagrams, illustrating the applicability of the proposed diagram in four case histories having different hydrogeochemical aspects. A comparison indicates that the proposed new diagram satisfies the basic requirement for a suitable classification of natural waters, and it also can be effectively used for studies of hydrochemical processes.