HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY AND GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN OZALLA, NIGERIA

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Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources,
playing a fundamental role in human health and wellness, socio
economic development, and ecosystem functioning. Being the elixir of life,
water resources ensure the stability of the ecosystem and the status of
human health. Hydrogeochemical characteristics of the
groundwater/surface water in the Ozalla were investigated by analyzing
seven groundwater/surface samples, using various statistical methods
and graphical approaches to identify factors affecting groundwater.
Physical and chemical components (temperature, pH, electrical
conductivity, turbidity, solids, total hardness, total alkalinity), major
components (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, SO42-, CO32-, Cl-, NO3-), as well as
trace elements ((As, Fe, Mn, Al, Se, Co, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb) were
analyzed. Major reactions occurring in the groundwater system were
quantified by hydrogeochemical modeling. A statistical summary reveals
the abundance of cations is Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ >K+, while the abundance
of anions is Cl- > NO3- > SO4 2-. Results showed groundwater with a slight
tendency to acidity. Hydrochemical facies are predominantly of mixed
Ca-Mg-Cl type in Piper trilinear diagram. Water-rock interaction and
anthropogenic activities appear to be the major processes controlling the
groundwater chemistry. The water in the study area is said to be portable
on the water quality assessment except that the water is slightly acidic
and some of which tested positive to microbial; but it is generally suitable
for irrigation purposes. It is recommended that the groundwater/surface
waters be disinfected/ treated before use and also that regular
hydrogeochemical studies be conducted in order assess the water quality
degradation in future.

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HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY AND GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN OZALLA, NIGERIA

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