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Research Journal of Earth and Planetary Studies Vol 2(1) pp.065 – 070 May 2012
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=rjeps
Copyright ©2012 Global Research Journals
Full Length Research
Quality Status of Groundwater Resources in parts of Birnin-Gwari Schist Belt, North-Central Nigeria
*H.O. Nwankwoala and **K.O Amede
*Department of Geology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria,Tel: +234 – (0) 0803 672 3009
**Earthlog Geoservices Nig. Limited, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Corresponding author’s E-mail: nwankwoala_ho@yahoo.com; hyci2002@yahoo.com
Accepted 25th January 2012
Abstract
An assessment of groundwater quality around Zungeru and Minna, Niger State in the Birnin-Gwari Schist belt, North-Central Nigeria, was studied. The study was aimed at evaluating the suitability of the groundwater for use. The physico-chemical parameters measure include; Na+ (mg/l), K+ (mg/l), Ca2+ (mg/l), Mg2+ (mg/l), Fe2+ (mg/l), Cl- (mg/l), SO42- (mg/l), HCO3- (mg/l), pH, EC (μS/cm), PO43-(mg/l), NO3 (mg/l), F- (mg/l), As (mg/l), Mn (mg/l) and Cu (mg/l). Result of the study showed that temperature ranged from 26.9 – 30.0oC, with an average of 28.33oC.The pH ranged from 6.4 – 8.31 (mean 7.48) while Conductivity ranged from 69 – 128μS/cm (mean 337uS/cm). Results also reveal a high concentration of Bicarbonates (250mg/l), Chlorides (78.9mg/l), Nitrates (44mg/l) and cations of Sodium (13.5mg/l), Potassium (29.5mg/l) and Magnesium (27.01mg/l). The concentrations of trace elements in the area are very low, with Arsenic (0.01mg/l), Manganese (1.002mg/l) and Copper (1.31mg/l). Piper trilinear plots indicate Chloride-Calcium-Sodium water. The results also show that the anions are more of the Bicarbonate type and there is no dominant cation. Generally, the study reveals that the chemical composition of the water in the area is a direct reflection of the mineralogy of the rock types. The study has shown that the water quality is within the WHO minimum permissible limit for drinking water, except for the increased concentration of Nitrate and Chloride which can be attributed to fertilizer application in farmlands and unplanned septic tanks, soakaways and pit latrines that characterizes the main sewage disposal system in the area. It is recommended that groundwater analysis be carried out frequently to monitor the rate and kind of contaminants that may affect groundwater quality in the area.
Key words: Groundwater Quality, Contamination, Physico-Chemical Properties, Schist Belt, Nigeria