Assessment of spatial distribution of contaminants and their levels in soil and water resources of Calabar, Nigeria using geophysical and geological data

Abstract

The contamination levels of soils and water resources in Calabar, Nigeria have been investigated using resistivity (vertical electrical sounding and electrical resistivity tomography), geochemical analyses of soil and water resources and textural analysis. Sixty randomly sited VES sites were investigated in two seasons while ERT investigations were performed along four profiles. The geochemical investigations were spread across seasons in order to track seasonal changes in physico-chemical parameters: hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride ion (Cl−), nitrate ion ( $$ {\text{NO}}_{ 3}^{ - } $$ ), bicarbonate ( $$ {\text{HCO}}_{ 3}^{ - } $$ ), sulphate ion ( $$ {\text{SO}}_{ 4}^{2 - } $$ ), calcium ion (Ca2+), sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (K+) and magnesium ion (Mg2+). Additionally, concentrations of ammonium, aluminium and nitrite ions in soils were determined. Results show that ionic concentrations in the sand-dominated soils and water are within permissible limits and baseline standards. The resistivities follow known trends in the area. However, at the central waste disposal site, a localised thin (< 5 m), low resistivity (< 15 Ωm) anomaly suspected to be due to contamination by leachates was observed. Comparatively, the contaminated area is also characterised by marginal increase in ionic concentrations. Strong attenuation capacities of overlying and adjoining clay/lateritic sediments and optimal design of the waste dump site probably reduced the spread of contaminants. The contaminated zone need to be closely monitored so that it does not extend to the aquifers. Hence, all strategies presently being used in managing wastes in Calabar should be sustained.