Hydrogeological and water quality evaluation of parts of River Mamu Sub-Basin, southeastern Nigeria

The water sources in parts of the River Mamu sub-Basin, southeastern Nigeria were evaluated for domestic and agricultural purposes using hydrogeology and water quality. Thirty water samples from both surface water and groundwater were analysed for hydrochemical and biological parameters. The average depth to aquifers and their thicknesses are 109.9m and 11.8m respectively. The concentration of the major ions, TDS and EC are within the DSÖ permissible guidelines for drinking water. Heavy metals concentration ranges in mg/L for Cd2+ (0 - 0.06), Cr3+ (0 - 0.19), Hg2+ (0 -1.0), As3+ (0 - 0.14) and total Fe (0 - 2.4) which in some of the samples exceed the permissible guideline values. The fecal coliform range in 100ml/L of samples (0 - 36) exceeds the guideline values in some of the samples. The water is Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 type with the dominant ions as Ca2+ and SO4 2- for both groundwater and surface water. The dominant geochemical processes are rock-water interaction in the groundwater, which is a major contributor of dissolved ions and precipitation in the surface water. The WQI (17.84 - 301.99) connotes some samples as very poor quality for domestic purposes. Irrigation indices depict most of the water as good to excellent for agriculture.

___

  • Amadi, A. N., Olasehinde, P. I., Agwuncha, S. C., Nwankwoala, H.O., Shaibu I., Okoye, N. O. 2016. Investigating the quality status of groundwater in parts of eastern Niger Delta for irrigation purposes. Development Journal of Science and Technology Research 5(2), 81-87.
  • Anakwuba, E. K., Nwokeabia, C. N., Chinwuko, A. I., Onyekwelu, C. U. 2014. Hydrogeophysical assessment of some parts of Anambra basin, Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Geosciences 2(2), 72-81.
  • American Public Health Association (APHA). 2005. Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Waste Water. 21st Edition, American Public Health Association. Washington DC, 1-32.
  • Appelo, C. A. J., Postma, D. 2005. Geochemistry, Groundwater, and Pollution. A. A. Balkema Publishers, London, 390-465.
  • Appelo, C. A. J., Van der Weiden, M. J. J., Tournassat, C., Charlet, L. 2002. Surface complexation of ferrous iron and carbonate on ferrihydrite and the mobilization of arsenic. Environmental Sciences Technology 36, 3096-3103.
  • Ashun, E., Bansah K. J. 2017. Groundwater quality index of upper Arthi River Basin in Kenya. International Journal of Global Environmental Issues 16(4), 217-230.
  • Ayogu, C. N., Maduka, R. I., Ayogu, N. O., Njoku, C. N., Asogwa, N. C. 2020. Hydro-geochemical analysis and quality evaluation of surface water in Mamu River Basin, southeastern Nigeria. Applied Water Science 10, 159.
  • Chinwuko, A. I., Anakwuba, E .K., Okeke, H. C., Usman, A. O., Ovwasa, M. O., Okoye, I. F. 2015. Geo- electric investigation for groundwater potential in Awka Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability l(1), 85-95.
  • Chinwuko, A. I., Anakwuba, E. K., Okeke, H. C., Onyekwelu, C. U., Usman, A. O., Osele, C. E., Iheme, O. K. 2016. Assessment of hydrogeophysical and geotechnical properties in the central part of Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Geophysics and Geochemistry 3(2), 6-13.
  • Datta, P. S., Deb, D. L., Tyagi, S. K. 1996. Stable isotope (18O) investigations on the processes controlling fluoride contamination of groundwater. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 24(1), 85-96.
  • Dinka, M. O., Loiskandl, W., Ndambuki, J. M. 2015. Hydrochemical characterization of various surface water and groundwater resources available in Matahara areas, Fantalle Woreda of Oromiya region. Journal of Hydrology and Regional Studies 3, 444–456.
  • Doneen, L. D. 1964. Notes on water quality in agriculture. University of California, Department of Water Sciences and Engineering, Davis, Paper 4001, 1- 13.
  • Edmunds, W. M., Kinniburgh, D. G., Moss, P. D. 1992. Trace metals in interstitial waters from sandstones: acidic inputs to shallow groundwaters. Environmental Pollution 77, 129-141.
  • Elango, L., Kannan, R., 2007. Rock-water interaction and its control on the chemical composition of groundwater. Sarkar, D., Datta, R., Hannigan, R. (Ed.). Developments in Environmental Science, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 229-243.
  • Ezeabasli, A. C. C., Okoro, B. U., Okonkwo, A. U. 2014. Assessment of water supply quality in Awka, Anambra State. International Journal of Science and Technology 3(3), 82-96.
  • Freeze, R. A., Cherry, J. A. 1979. Groundwater. Prentice- Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 50-67.
  • Gebrehiwot, A. B., Tadesse, N., Jigar, E. 2011. Application of water quality index to assess the suitability of groundwater quality for drinking purposes in Hantebet watershed, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. ISABB Journal of Food and Agricultural Science 1(1), 22–30.
  • Gibbs, R. J. 1970. Mechanism controlling world’s water chemistry. Science 170, 1088–1090.
  • Horton, R. K. 1965. An index number system for rating water quality. Journal of Water Pollution Control Federation 37(4), 300–305.
  • Hounslaw, A. W. 1995. Water Quality Data Analysis and Interpretation. Lewis Publishers, USA, 416.
  • Kogbe, C. A. 1981. Attempt to correlate the stratigraphic sequence in the middle Benue basin with those of the Anambra and upper Benue Basins. Earth Evolution Science 1(2),139-148.
  • Langguth, H. R. 1966. Groundwater verhaltisse in Bereiech Des Velberter. Suttle Der Minister Fur Eraehrung, Land Wirtsch Forste, 127.
  • Nganje, T. N., Hursthouse, A. S., Edet, A., Stirling, D., Adamu, C. I. 2015. Hydrochemistry of surface water and groundwater in the shale 3 bedrock, Cross River Basin and Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Applied Water Science 7, 961- 985.
  • Nwajide, C. S. 1980. Eocene tidal sedimentation in Anambra Basin, southern Nigeria. Sediment Geology 25, 189-207.
  • Nwajide, C. S. 2013. Geology of Nigeria’s Sedimentary Basins. CSS Bookshop Limited, 347.
  • Nwajinaka, C. O., Nwanna, E. C., Ogbu, K. N. 2019. Physico-chemical and bacteriological survey of household water supplies in selected communities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences 7(5), 569-576.
  • Odetola, T., Etumnu, C. 2013. Contribution of agriculture to economic growth in Nigeria. Proceeding: the 18th Annual Conference of the African Econometric Society (AES), Accra, Ghana, 22nd and 23rd July 2013, 1-28.
  • Offodile, M. E. 2012. An Approach to Groundwater Study and Development in Nigeria 2nd Edition. Mecon Publishing, Jos, Nigeria, 240.
  • Okogbue, C. O., Omonona, O. V., Aghamelu, O. P. 2012. Qualitative assessment of groundwater from Egbe-Mopa basement complex area, northcentral Nigeria. Environmental Earth Science 67, 1069-1083.
  • Omonona, B. C., Ozobialu, B. C., Okogbue, C. O. 2017. Groundwater resources of Nanka Sands aquifer around Nanka-Oko area, southeastern Nigeria. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Science 23, 87-92.
  • Okolo, C. M., Akudinobi, B. E. B., Obiadi, I. I., Onuigbo, E. N., Obasi, P. N. 2018. Hydrochemical evaluation of Lower Niger Drainage Area, Southeastern Nigeria. Applied Water Science 8(201), 605.
  • Okolo, C. M., Akkudinobi, B. E. B., Obiadi, I. I. 2020. Evaluation of water resources of some satellite towns in the central part of Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. Sustainable Water Resources Management 6(102), 1-8.
  • Paliwal, K. V. 1972. Irrigation with Saline Water, Monogram No. 2 (New Series). New Delhi, IARI, 198.
  • Pavelic, P., Giordano, M., Keraita, B., Ramesh, V., Rao,T. 2012. Groundwater availability and use in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of 15 countries. Colombo, Sri Lanka. International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
  • Piper, A. M. 1944. A graphical procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water analyses. American Geophysical Union Transactions 25, 914-928.
  • Poehls, D. J., Smith, G. J. 2009. Encyclopedic Dictionary of Hydrogeology, Academic Press. Amsterdam, 517.
  • Reza, R., Sigh, S. 2010. Heavy metal contaminants and its indexing approach for river water. International Journal of Environment, Sciences, and Technology 7, 785-792.
  • Singh, A. K., Mondal, G. C., Singh, P. K., Singh, S., Singh,T. B., Tewary, B. K. 2005. Hydrochemistry of reservoirs of, Damodar River basin India: weathering processes and water quality assessment. Environmental Geology, 48, 1014- 1028.
  • Smedley, P. L., Kinniburgh, D. G. 2002. A review of the source, behavior, and distribution of arsenic in natural waters. Applied Geochemistry 17, 517-568
  • Song, M. W., Huang, P., He, G. X. 2011. Water quality of a tributary of the Pearl River, the Beijiang, southern China: implications from multivariate statistical analyses. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 172, 589-603.
  • Srinivasamoorthy, K., Chidambaram, M., Prasanna, M. V., Vasanthavigar, M., John, A. P., Anandhan, P. 2008. Identification of major sources controlling groundwater chemistry from a hard rock terrain – a case study from Mettur Taluk, Salem District, Tamilnadu, India. Journal of Earth System Science 117(1), 49–58.
  • Todd, D. K. 1980. Groundwater Hydrology. John Wiley and Sons Publication, New York, USA, 552.
  • Udoh, A. C., Chınwuko, A. I., Onwuemesı, A. G., Anakwuba, E. K., Oyonga, A. O., Usman, A. O. 2021. Impact of solid waste on groundwater quality in selected dumpsites in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using resistivity and hydrochemical data. Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration 164(164), 231-249.
  • Utom, A. U., Odoh, B. I., Egboka, B. C. E. 2013. Assessment of hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater quality in the vicinity of Okpara coal and Obwetti fireclay mines, near Enugu town, Nigeria. Applied Water Science 3, 271-283.
  • Walker, B. R., Jolly, L. D., Cook, P. G. 1997. A new chloride leaching approach to the estimation of diffuse recharge following a change in land use. Journal of Hydrology 128, 49-67.
  • Whiteman, A. J. 1982. Nigeria: Its Petroleum Geology, Resources, and Potentials. Graham and Trotmon, London, 394.
  • WHO. 2004. Guidelines for drinking water quality. World Health Organisation, Geneva, 335.
  • WHO. 2011. Guidelines for drinking water quality. In: 3rd Ed. of Incorporating the first and second addenda, 1, Recommendations, 256.
  • Wilcox, L. V. 1955. Classification and use of irrigation waters. USDA Circular 969, 1- 19.
  • Yan, C. A., Zang, W., Zang, Z., Liu, Y., Dengue, C., Nie, N. 2015. Assessment of water quality and identification of polluted risky Regions based on field observations and GIS in the Honghe River Watershed, China. PS ONE 10(3), e0119130.