Abstract
A detail understanding of the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality is indispensable for the sustainable utilization of the groundwater sources. This is in line with Sustainable development goal of United Nation. The following parameters were analyzed using APHA, 2012 standard: pH, Ec, total dissolved solid (TDS,) total hardness (TH), magnesium (Mg2+), sulphate (SO42¯), chloride (Cl¯), bicarbonate (HCO3¯), carbonate (CO32¯), nitrate ( NO3¯), potassium (K+), sodium (Na2+) and calcium (Ca2+). Findings revealed that pH value reveals that groundwater is acidic. Bivariate plots showed that groundwater quality is influenced by number of factors. Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater samples was based on the following model: End-member, Parson’s and Diamond field plots. Results from these plots revealed that that silicate and carbonate weathering are that major factor that control groundwater quality, and that groundwater samples were of different water type namely; Ca–Mg–SO4, Ca–Mg–Cl, Na–SO4 water type and high Ca + Mg & SO4 + Cl respectively. It was observed that 99 % of groundwater within the study area fell within fresh water category and groundwater is influenced by various factors such as weathering.
Highlights
The history of coal industry in Nigeria was dated back to 1909, when coal was first discovered at the streams along Udi escarpment in Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria (Buchanan, 1999)
The prime objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of abandoned Okpara coal mine on groundwater quality using bivariate plot and hydrogeochemical approach
Result from findings revealed that pH value within the study area is said to be acidic, values obtained from Total dissolved solids (TDS) showed that groundwater fell within fresh water category
Summary
The history of coal industry in Nigeria was dated back to 1909, when coal was first discovered at the streams along Udi escarpment in Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria (Buchanan, 1999). Enugu has been known for coal mining activities in time past, these mine were located at Udi, Onyeama, Okpara, Iva Valley and Ribadu respectively. Et al, (2016) stated that the mining of coal was a major source of economic for people around the study area decades ago, the discovery of crude oil in south-south part of Nigeria has lead to low demand of coal. Coal mining, during that time gave rise to lots of mine waste which were dumped in landfills and surface dumps. Mine waste are derived from active or abandoned mines, which is a serious problem due to its negative effects on the environment and water quality for domestic, industrial and irrigation use. Mine waste left near abandoned and active mines are major source of contamination to surface and groundwater quality. The quality of groundwater is primarily influenced by the recharge pathways, anthropogenic activities and aquifer
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