Dr. Sahebrao Sonkamble
Scientist-E , Electrical and Heliborne Geophysics
Specialization
Groundwater, Geo-environment and Hydrogeophysics
Research Area
Dr. Sahebrao Sonkamble is a leading hydrogeologist specializing in aqueous geochemistry and geo-environmental studies. He holds M.Sc. in Environmental Technology from SRTM University, Nanded (2004), where his early work (Masters thesis) on basalt-granite groundwater research, integrating hydrochemical speciation and DEMs (published in Journal of Hydrology), shaped his interest in aqueous geochemistry. Upon qualifying UGC-NET, he joined the CSIR-NGRI for his doctoral degree regisetered at Osmania University, Hyderabad. His Ph.D research work resolved critical challenges in coastal hydrochemistry focusing on freshwater lenses, seawater intrusion, pollution tracking, irrigation vulnerability, and precision well-design protocols resulting in multiple high-impact SCI publications such as Marine Pollution Bulletin, Environmental Monitoring Assessment, Environmental Earth Sciences.
His research work integrates hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, geo-environmental studies, ground and airborne geophysics comprising multi-electrode resistivity imaging, vertical electrical sounding, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and airborne electromagnetics and isotopic, and vadose zone observations. I have employed tritium as tracer for estimating recharge, neutron moisture probes, double-ring infiltrometers, digital water level recorders, pumping tests, and soil permeability/grain size analyses. This multi-scale toolkit allows me to map individual basaltic flows, basalt-Gondwana contacts, deep-seated saturated fractures, lithological transboundary aquifers, and to translate geophysical signatures into robust hydrogeological models. My field experience spans twenty two R&D and applied science projects in diverse Indian terrains and sub-Saharan Africa, including AQUIM (World Bank) and Saph Pani (European Union), decision support tool (DST) by WWF-India where I integrated ground and airborne geophysics for aquifer mapping and characterization, and enhanced wastewater treatment using NTS models.
Current his research interest includes,
- Groundwater / Hydrogeology: Exploration, assessment, management, pollution, recharge, modelling, decision support tool.
- Geo-technical studies for EIA of sanitary & secure landfill, TSDF sites and other industrial contaminant sites.
- Industrial Pollution: Groundwater contamination, pollution migration, mitigation and MT3D modelling studies.
- Seawater intrusion: Coastal aquifer mapping and management and well development.
- Groundwater recharge: Managed aquifer recharge (MAR), rain water harvesting, Rain Gardens, recharge ponds, and other rainwater harvesting techniques and budgeting.
- Aqueous geochemistry: Hydrochemical evolution and processes, rock-water iteraction, source speciation
- Wetland hydrology and soil aquifer treatment (SAT) for enhanced wastewater treatment
- Hydrochemistry and tracer studies: Major ions & heavy metals chemistry, tritium tracer for estimating recharge, neutron probe moisture measurement
- Soil studies: Vadose zone, permeability, grain size, porosity, moisture, infiltration tests, contaminations
The research expertise has been proven by publications in peer reviewed journals (SCI) such as, Water Research, Journal of Hydrology, Journal of Environmental Management, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Science of the Total Environment, Natural Resources Research, Hydrogeology Journal, Chemosphere, Geophysics, etc.
Looking ahead, his research aims to build a predictive, scalable hydrogeological framework integrating reactive hydrochemistry, geophysical imaging, and aquifer modelling to tackle climate stress, urban wastewater reuse, and groundwater depletion. He is in favour of both field and lab based multi-discplinary research that minimises the error thereby enhancing the precision. He remains committed to translating science into policy relevant tools for safe water and integrated management, and through CSIR Skill India courses, Ph.D. supervision, mentoring Master's and intern students, and capacity building workshops for stakeholders. He believes bridging the gap between scientists, water managers, engineers, farmers and policy makers is the only mode to accomplish the SDG-6 goal through sustainable groundwater management practices.
Ongoing Research Projects
1) Comprehending aquifer heterogeneities and hydrodynamics for sustainable groundwater management
2) High-resolution heliborne geophysical surveys for geotechnical investigation for the Ajanta Rail (Jalna-Jalgaon) Tunnel
3) High-resolution heliborne geophysical surveys for geotechnical investigation for the Manmad-Indore Rail Tunnel
4) Smart Village program by CSIR in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Assam
5) Managed Aquifer Recharge development for sustainable groundwater management in Ganga-Yamuna Alluvial plains of India
6) Rain Garden for potential REcharge in NGRI main capus Hyderabad and hydro-geophysical experiments in experimental hydrogeological park (EHP), Choutuppal, Hyderabad (In House R & D experiments)
Honors & Awards
1) UGC-NET: Qualified UGC-NET in Environmental Sciences (June 2005)
2) Associate Fellow of TAS: Honoured with ‘Associate Fellow’ by Telangana Academy of Science for the year 2015 on June 23rd, 2016 at CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad
3) AHI-Young Scientist Award: Awarded “AHI-Young Scientist Award” by Association of Hydrologist of India at ISM Dhanbad on Nov 10th, 2016.
4) National Geoscience Award 2017: Recipient of National Geoscience Award 2017 (Team) a prestigious award for Earth Science professionals by Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India. The award is conferred by Hon’ble President of India Sri. Ram Nath Kovind on May 16th, 2018 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. It is given under the category of Mineral Discovery & Exploration for Aquifer Mapping in different geological terrains in India using Ground and Airborne Geophysics.
Publications
Sonkamble S*, Sahya A, Mahesh J, Ahmed S, Amerasinghe P (2019) Hydro-geophysical Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Natural Wetlands in a Semi-arid Wastewater Irrigated Landscape. Water Research 148, 176-187 org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.040 (IF 12.8)
Sonkamble S*, Sahya A, Mondal NC, Harikumar P (2012). Appraisal and evolution of hydrochemical processes from proximity basalt and granite areas of Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) in India. Journal of Hydrology, Elsevier B.V. Publisher, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Vol. 438-439, pp. 181-193, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.03.022 (IF 7.3)
Sonkamble S*, Chandra S, Ahmed S, Rangarajan R (2014). Source speciation resolving hydrochemical complexity of coastal aquifers. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 78 (1-2), 118-129 org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.052, (IF 4.9)
Sonkamble S*, Chandra S, Somvanshi VK, Ahmed S (2016) Hydro-geophysical techniques for safe exploitation of the freshwater resources in coastal area. Environmental Earth Sciences, 75 (4):279 http://doi: 10.1007/s12665-015-5210-0 (IF 3.3)
Sonkamble S*, Wajihuddin Md, Jampani M, Sarah S, Somvanshi VK, et al. (2018) Natural treatment system (NTS) models for wastewater management: A study from Hyderabad, India. Water Science and Technology, 77(2) 479-492. http:// 10.2166/wst.2017.565 , (IF 2.8)
Sonkamble S*, Chandra S (2021) GPR for earth and environmental applications: Case studies from India. Journal Applied Geophysics, 193, 104422 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2021.104422 (IF 2.6)
Sonkamble S*, Chandra S, Pujari PR, (2022). Application of airborne and ground geophysics to unravel the hydrogeological complexity of the Deccan basalts in central India. Hydrogeology Journal, 30, 2096-2116 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-022-02503-7 (IF 2.8)
Maurya VP*, Chandra S, Sonkamble S, Lohith Kumar K, Nagaiah E, Selles A (2021) Electrically Inferred Subsurface Fractures in the Crystalline Hard Rocks of a Experimental Hydrogeological Park, Southern India. Geophysics, 86 (3), pp 1-10 (IF 3.2) https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2020-0327.1
Sahya A, Sonkamble* S, Jampani M, Rao AN, Amerasinghe (2023) Field site soil aquifer treatment shows enhanced wastewater quality: Evidence from vadose zone hydro-geophysical observations. Journal of Environmental Management, 345, 118749 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118749 (IF 9.2)
Sonkamble S*, Nagaiah. E, Appalanaidu E, Choudhury J, Tiwari VM (2025) Tracing Deep-Seated Saturated Fractures in Depleted Shallow Aquifer Systems in a Granitic Terrain: An Integrated Hydro–Geophysical Approach. Natural Resources Research 34 (3), pp 1603-1622 DOI: 10.1007/s11053-025-10456-3 (IF 6.0)
Kethavath KL, Sonkamble S*, Rao M (2026) Aquifer settings and interflow dynamics across continental flood basalt: A synthesis of hydro-geophysical evidence. Journal of Hydrology 680 (Part B), 136516, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136516 (IF 7.3)
Books
Book Chapter: 02 (IWA Publ.
1) Amerasinghe P, Jampani M, Sonkamble S, Md. Wajihuddin, Boisson A, Ahmed S (2015) Characterization and Performance Assessment of Natural Treatment Systems in a Wastewater Irrigated Micro-watershed: Musi River Case Study. ‘Natural Water Treatment Systems for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply in the Indian Context, Thomas Wintgens et al., Saph Pani Hand Book Chapter 11, pp. 177-189.
2) Amerasinghe P, Sonkamble S, Jampani M, Md. Wajihuddin, Elango L, Starkl M, Sarah S, Md. Fahimuddin, Ahmed S (2015) Developing integrated management plans for Natural Treatment Systems in urbanised areas –Case studies from Hyderabad and Chennai. ‘Natural Water Treatment Systems for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply in the Indian Context, Thomas Wintgens et al., Saph Pani Hand Book, Chapter 15, pp. 253-266.
Research Scholars
Ph.D Awarded:1
Ph.D Ongoing: 2
Educational Qualification
M.Sc., Ph.D
Proffessional Experience
20 years
01/2023 - till date Scientist-E, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
01/2018 – 12/2022 Scientist-D, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
01/2014 - 12/2017 Scientist-C, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
02/2012 - 12/2013 Addnl Area Party Chief (AQUIM-AQMAH), CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad, India
07/2009 - 02/2012 Project Assistant-III, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
01/2007 - 07/2009 Project Assistant-II, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
Proffessional Affiliations
International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)- Member
American Geophysical Union (AGU) - Member