HYDROGEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF PAGO, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA
Abstract
This study investigated the hydrogeochemical characteristics of surface and groundwater in Pago, North Central Nigeria, a region characterized by Precambian Basement Complex rocks. Water samples collected from wells and streams were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) to analyse for major ions and heavy metals in the water samples. The water quality of the study region was evaluated using hydrogeochemical indices. The hydrogechemical analysis shows that most of the analysed parameters fell within WHO permissible limits, elevated COD levels in some samples indicate potential organic pollution, which may pose risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. The CF shows low concentrations (<1) of SO, Cl, Ca, Mg, Pb and Zn, and high concentrations (>1) of COD. The values of PLI were generally low, indicating minimal pollution. The WQI showed samples with excellent (<50) ratings. These results underscore the new regular water quality monitoring and targeted remediation strategies to ensure the safety of surface and groundwater in the region. The assessment indicates that the water in the study area is generally safe for drinking and other domestic purposes.
References
Akakuru, O. C., Eze, C. U., Okeke, O. C., Opara, A.I., Usman, A. U., Iheme, O., Ibeneme, S. I. and Iwuoha, P. O. (2022). Hydrogeochemical evolution, water quality indices, irrigation suitability and pollution index of groundwater (PIG) around eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-021-00162-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-021-00162-0
Akhtar, N., Syakir Ishak, M. I., Bhawani, S. A., and Umar, K. (2021). Various natural and anthropogenicfactors responsible for water quality degradation: A review. Water, 13(19), 2660. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13192660
Alsuhaimi, A. O., Almohaimidi, K. M. and Momani, K. A. (2019). Preliminary assessment for physicochemical qualvity parameters of groundwater in Oqdus Area, Saudi Arabia. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 18(1), 2231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2016.12.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2016.12.002
Amadi A.N., Okunlola I.A., Dan-Hassan M.A., Aminu, T. and Ola Olubusayo, (2015). Evaluation of Groundwater Quality in Shallow Aquifers in Minna, North-Central Nigeria using Pollution Load Index. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 5(8), 45 56.
Bhutian, R., Kulkarni, D. P., Khanna, D. R. and Gautam, A. (2017). Geochemical distribution and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater of an industrial area and itssurroundings, Haridwar, India. Energy Ecology and Environment 2(2),15567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-016-0019-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-016-0019-6
Boyd, C. E. (2019). Water quality: an introduction. Springer Nature.
Gaur, N., Sarkar, A., Dutta, D., Gogoi, B. J., Dubey, R., and Dwivedi, S. K. (2022). Evaluation of water quality index and geochemical characteristics of surfacewater from Tawang India. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 11698. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14760-3
George, N. J., Ubom, A. I. and Ibanga, J. I. (2014). Integrated approach to investigate the effect of leachate on groundwater around the ikot ekpene dumpsite in Akwa Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Geophysics https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/174589 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/174589
Hakanson, L. (1980). An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control. Sedimentol Approach Water Res 14(8), 9751001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(80)90143-8
Hamid, A., Bhat, S. U., and Jehangir, A. (2020). Local determinants influencing stream water quality. Applied Water Science, 10(1), 1-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1043-4
Hunt, L. M., Sutton, S. G., and Arlinghaus, R. (2013). Illustrating the critical role of human dimensions research for understanding and managing recreational fisheries within a socialecological system framework. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 20(2-3), 111-124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2400.2012.00870.x
Kopittke, P. M., Menzies, N. W., Wang, P., McKenna, B. A., and Lombi, E. (2019). Soil and the intensification of agriculture for global food security. Environment international, 132, 105078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105078
NIS 306: 2008 - Nigerian Industrial Standard for Portable Water
Olofinlade, W. S., Daramola, S. O. and Olabode, O. F. (2018). Hydrochemical and statistical modeling of groundwater quality in two contrasting geological terrains of southwestern Nigeria. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-018-0486- 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-018-0486-1
Ojo, S.A., Okunlola, I.A., and Odukoya, A.M. (2020).Hydrogeochemical Assessment of groundwater in Dutsin-Ma Area, Katsina state, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Sciences and Resource Management, 2(1), 1-13.
Rahman, M. A., Md. Islam, M. M. and Ahmed, F. (2015). Physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis of drinking tube-well water from some primary school, Magura, Bangladesh to evaluate suitability for students. Journal of Applied Sciences and Engineering Research 4(5), 735749.
Raju, N. J., Ram, P. and Dey, S. (2009). Groundwater quality in the lower Varuna river basin, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Geological Society 73, 178192. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-009-0074-0
Saha, S., Selim Reza, A. H. M. and Roy, M. K. (2019). Hydrochemical evaluation of groundwater quality of the Tista foodplain,Rangpur, Bangladesh. Applied Water Science 9, 198. https://10.1007/s13201-019-1085-7 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1085-7
Sisir, K. N. and Anindita, L. (2012). Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes in Dwarakeswar Watershed Area, India. American Journal of Climate Change 1, 217230
Thomas, J. E., George, N. J., Ekanem, A. M. and Nsikak, E. E. (2020). Electrostratigraphy and hydrogeochemistry of hyporheic zone and water-bearing caches in the littoral shorefront of Akwa Ibom State University, Southern Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 192, 505. https://10.1007/s10661-020-08436-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08436-6
Tomlinson, D. L., Wilson, J. G., Harris, C. R. and Jeffney, D. W. (1980). Problems in the assessment of heavy metal levels in estuaries and the formation of a pollution index. Helgolander Wiss Meeresuntersuchungen 33, 566572. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02414780
Verma, P., Singh, P. K., Sinha, R. R. and Tiwari, A. K. (2020). Assessment of groundwater quality status by using water quality index (WQI) and geographic information system (GIS) approaches: a case study of the Bokaro district, India. Applied Water Science 10(27), 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1088-4 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1088-4
WHO (World Health Organization). (2018). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality: https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health/water-safety-andquality/drinking-water-quality-guidelines .
Yahaya, S. M. and Fatima, A. (2021). Ecological risk assessment of heavy metal-contaminated soils of selected villages in Zamfara State. Nigeria. SN Applied Sciences 3, 168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04175-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04175-6
Yetis, R., Atasoy, A. D., Demir Yetis , A. and Yes ilnacar, M. I. (2019). Hydrogeochemical characteristics and quality assessment of groundwater in Balikligol Basin, Sanliurfa Turkey. Environmental Earth Sciences 78, 331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8330-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8330-0
Zhu, C., and Schwartz, F. W. (2011). Hydrogeochemical processes and controls on water quality and water management. Elements, 7(3), 169-174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.3.169
Copyright (c) 2024 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
