Characterization and evaluation of the effects of mine discharges on surface water resources for irrigation: a case study of the Enyigba Mining District, Southeast Nigeria

P N Obasi,B E B Akudinobi,M O Eyankware

doi:10.1007/s13201-021-01400-w

P N Obasi, B E B Akudinobi + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01400-w

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Abstract

Mining activities generate much wastes which degenerate into various geochemical components and affect the natural composition of surface water resources. They cause Acid Mine Drainage (AMDs) and influence the hydrochemical evolution of the hydrogeological systems. This study employed hydrochemical parameters to characterize and evaluate the effects of mine discharges on irrigation surface water in the mining district of Enyigba, SE Nigeria. Twenty-four water samples were collected from surface water sources used for subsistence irrigation farming and analyzed for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium (Na+), potassium (K), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), bicarbonate (HCO3−), chloride (Cl−) and sulfate (SO42−), while various irrigation parameters including Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Sodium Percentage (Na %), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Total Hardness (TH), Kelly Ratio (KR) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) were deduced. Result indicates hydrogeochemical trend of Cl− > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > SO42− > HCO3− + CO3 > Na+ + K+, while hydrogeochemical facies from Piper Trilinear plot, Durov and Schoeller plots shows that the dominant ionic species are the Mg2+, Cl−, and SO42−. Irrigation parameters such as SSP, MAR, Na %, SAR, PI, KR and EC indicate that majority of water sample are very good to moderately suitable for irrigation. Five samples around Amorie and Ameka are within the hard category for TH, which could be attributed to the high concentration of dissolved magnesium and calcium ion in the area. Apart from mine discharges, rock water interaction also affects the composition of surface water resources of the area.

Highlights

In the past few decades, hydrogeological researches have shifted from the occurrence, to the quality of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses
Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Chloride (Cl−) ions were determined using appropriate titrimetric methods according to APHA (2012), while sulfate concentration was determined by turbidimetric method using a UV–Vis spectrometer and spectra manager software for interpretation
Result of irrigation parameters indicates that majority of water sample ranged from very good to moderately suitable for irrigation

Summary

Introduction

In the past few decades, hydrogeological researches have shifted from the occurrence, to the quality of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. Groundwater quality studies for drinking and irrigation purposes have been carried out in different parts of the world including Tamil Nadu, India (Ibraheen and Nazeeb Khan 2017; Subramani et al 2005), Uttarakhand (Jain et al 2010), Peninsular (Rawat et al 2018), Punjab (Kumar et al 2007), Sri Lanka (Nishanthiny et al 2010), Iran (Aghazadeh and Mogaddam 2010; Narany et al 2015), Ghana (Ackah et al 2011), Nigeria (Igwe et al 2014, 2015, 2017; Eyankware et al 2016a, 2016b, 2017, 2018, 2020), and China (Wen et al 2005) These studies have shown variously, the characteristic chemical composition of water resources in different areas as it affects plants and soil properties in agricultural development. Michael (1978), Rawat et al (2018), Ibraheem and Nazeeb Khan (2017), Brindha and Elango (2011) all noted that studies on agricultural irrigational water has improved crop production and agricultural sustainability in India

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