Physicochemical properties of groundwater in parts of Irun Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

Kehinde Ibrahim Adebayo,Oluwaseye Peter Amah,Victor Etim Nyong

doi:10.4314/gjgs.v19i1.7

Abstract

Ten groundwater samples from hand dug wells were collected at Irun Akoko within the basement complex of part of southwestern Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the groundwater suitability for both drinking and irrigation purposes. The groundwater samples were analysed for some physical and chemical constituents including pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), turbidity, Na, Ca, Mg, K, Cl, SO4, PO4 and NO3. The pH (7.0 – 7.9) and TDS (12.26 – 19.35 mg/l) of the groundwater indicate that the water is neutral to slightly alkaline and fresh respectively. The order of relative abundance for concentration of cations in the groundwater is K>Ca>Na>Mg, while that of anions is Cl>SO4>NO3>PO4. The concentrations of potassium in about 90% and chloride in about 40 % of the samples were above the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water. Other hydro-geochemical parameters Ca, Mg, Na, SO4, PO4 and NO3 falls within the WHO standards. Values of Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) classified the water as excellent for irrigation purposes. The Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) values classified eighty percent of the water to be of good quality and the remaining samples as fair for irrigation purposes. However, using the Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (55.0 – 68.9 %) the samples may have hazardous effects on the soil. Generally, groundwater in the study area is suitable for both domestic and irrigation uses.

Highlights

Water is an elixir of life whose scarcity and contamination could have serious health implications
Ten samples from hand dug wells were collected within Irun Akoko, southwestern Nigeria
The purpose was to determine the quality for both drinking and irrigation purposes

Summary

Introduction

Water is an elixir of life whose scarcity and contamination could have serious health implications. Quantitative yield and quality of water are the crucial factor that determines its supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. The availability of cheaper well drilling technologies contribute to the preference of groundwater over other water sources (Soladoye and Ajibade, 2014). Despite peoples’ perception, Kehinde Ibrahim Adebayo, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria Victor Etim Nyong, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria Oluwaseye Peter oyetade, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria Godwin Amah, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria groundwater just like other water sources can be contaminated, the result of which will affect its usability. The problem of good water supply poses serious threats to human. The aim of this study is to carry out a quality assessment of the water used for both drinking and agricultural purposes in Irun Akoko area

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion