Seasonal dynamics in relation to groundwater quality in Sharada industrial area of Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the seasonal dynamics in relation to groundwater quality in the Sharada industrial area of the Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. The study samples were collected from groundwater within 500 m distance from industries and residences within the study area. The study samples for the dry season were collected in January, February and March of 2021 while the wet season samples were collected in July, August and September of the same year (2021). At each sampling point, samples were taken in triplicate (n=3) to ensure that the results obtained were free from bias. The physical, chemical, biological, and heavy metal characteristics of the samples collected were analysed at the laboratory of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture Bayero University with the use of standard APHA procedures. The results of the water samples were further analysed with mean, standard deviation, and correlation. The results of the analysis revealed that the concentration of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), total dissolvable solid (TDS), chlorine (Cl), and sodium (Na) in groundwater of Sharada Industrial area are high during the wet season while the concentrations level of total suspended solid (TSS), calcium (Ca), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Fecal coliform (F.coli) are high during the dry season. Despite the fact that there are more parameters that have higher concentration than permissible limits during the wet season, the dry season was characterised by a higher relationship among water parameters than during the wet season. This led to the conclusion that seasonal differences in groundwater level influence the concentration level and relationship among water parameters in Sharada industrial area. Hence, the water in the Sharada industrial area needs to be treated differently during the wet and dry seasons before consumption.