Abstract
ABSTRACTPhysicochemical, multivariate, and bacteriological analyses were integrated to assess the impact of onsite sanitary sewage and agricultural waste on groundwater quality in Ikem and its environs. Results of the physicochemical analysis suggest that groundwater samples in the study area are acidic, with very few samples having electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids above WHO standard for drinking water. The abundance of the major ions are in the following order: Ca2+˃Mg2+˃K+˃Na+˃ Cl− = PO42- ˃NO3−˃HCO3−˃SO42-. Fifty-five percent of the stiff plot shows Ca2+ – Cl− water type and 45% of the stiff shows Na++ K+ – Cl− water type. The dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area are Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl−SO42- (83%) and Na++ K+ and SO42- + Cl− (17%). Durov and Piper diagrams illustrated that simple mineral dissolution and ion exchange processes are mainly responsible for variation in the hydrogeochemistry. Bacteriological analysis shows that the groundwater is contaminated with faecal waste. The principal component analysis, correlation, and cluster analysis reflect Faecal matter contamination through onsite sanitary sewage system, leaching of agricultural waste into the groundwater and weathering and dissolution of host rocks. Groundwater flow direction is local and controlled by topographic highs, weathering and fracturing of the host rock in the study area.
Highlights
Groundwater in urban and semi-urban areas is increasingly contaminated, essentially due to increase in domestic waste and agricultural activities (Kehinde, 1998; Adelana et al 2003; Adelana, Bale., & Wu, 2004; Adelana, Bale, Olasehinde, & Wu, 2005; Ajala, 2005; Ocheri, 2006; Adelana, Abiye, Nkhuwa., Tindinugaya, & Oga, 2008)
Regional groundwater flow direction is not expected in the area, owing to its shaly lithology, patched sandy aquifer, and the undulating topography
Water samples were taken from 25 hand-dug wells in the study area, and were analyzed for major anions, cations, and four selected heavy metals associated with sewage and agricultural wastes
Summary
Groundwater in urban and semi-urban areas is increasingly contaminated, essentially due to increase in domestic waste and agricultural activities (Kehinde, 1998; Adelana et al 2003; Adelana, Bale., & Wu, 2004; Adelana, Bale, Olasehinde, & Wu, 2005; Ajala, 2005; Ocheri, 2006; Adelana, Abiye, Nkhuwa., Tindinugaya, & Oga, 2008). Ocheri and Odoma (2013) established correlation between coliform and nitrates, total dissolved solids (TDS) and calcium, calcium, lead, and geology, to ascertain groundwater quality in hand-dug wells with close proximity to a sewage and agricultural waste contamination. Onwuka, Uma, and Ezeigbo (2004) assessed the potability of shallow groundwater using parameters of waste derivable chemical components such as nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and indicator micro-organism of fecal coliform. Oluwasanya, Idowu, and Eruola (2012) assessed the quality of hand-dug wells and noted nitrate, fecal coliform, and total coliform at objectionable levels and that they were pronounced in wells located close to the sewage systems. Omotoyinbo (2007) stated that the pollution of organic and inorganic waste in Ado-Ekiti is attributed to the location of wells in terms of distance to onsite sewage system and proximity to agricultural waste. Concerns over the quality of water harnessed especially from hand-dug wells have received wide attention among the following researchers: Echinola and Cooker (2002), Nnodo and Illo (2002), Ogunbadewa (2002), Omofonmwam and Eseigbe (2009), Onwuka et al (2004), and Ovrawah and CONTACT Chimankpam Kenneth Ezugwu University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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