Physicochemical Properties of Water Sources During the Wet Season in Enyigba and Ikwo Minig Districts of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of water sources in Enyigba and Ikwo Minig Districts of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Water samples from surface water, mine pit water, and groundwater (borehole) were collected from the mining districts, while water samples Abakaliki served as Control. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were read using a water Multi meter (TK303 PLUS) while K, Mg, Na and Ca were analyzed using AAS (Agilent Clara, CA) Model 55AA. Sulphate and Phosphate were analyzed using APHA procedure while Nitrate and Carbonate were analyzed using EPA 352.1 and SAP 1999 methods respectively. The mean concentrations of physical parameters in Enyigba and Ikwo Mining Districts are Temperature (27.07 °C and 29.57°C), pH (5.70 and 5.80), EC (430.00 mg/l and 357.33 mg/l) and TDS (214.67 mg/l and 178.67 mg/l) respectively. The mean values for the Control are temperature (29.70°C), pH (6.06), EC (799.00) and TDS (396.00) respectively. Whereas the mean concentrations of cations and anions in Enyigba and Ikwo Mining Districts are K (2.98 mg/l and 4.54 mg/l), Mg (11.16 mg/l and 7.23 mg/l), Na (16.07 mg/l and13.48 mg/l), Ca (29.97 mg/l and 39.36 mg/l), Nitrate (0.32 mg/l and 0.39 mg/l), Sulphate (0.0010 mg/l and 0.0010 mg/l), Phosphate (0.0027 mg/l and 0.0023 mg/l) and Ca (0.100 mg/l and 0.15 mg/l) respectively. Whereas the mean concentrations for the Control are K (2.61 mg/l), Mg (10.63 mg/l), Na (38.30 mg/l), Ca (48.93 mg/l), Nitrate (0.0010 mg/l), Sulphate (0.0010 mg/l), Phosphate (0.0020 mg/l) respectively. From the results, the physicochemical parameters in the study area are within the threshold limits of the WHO and NESREA standards except EC for Eyingba (430) and Control (799) is higher than the WHO threshold of 400 but lower than for NESREA. The implications of these results only EC has effects on the quality of water sources at Eyingba pose health risks which require mitigation measures during the rainy season whereas the rest physicochemical parameters do not pose health risks.