DETERMINATIONS OF INFLUENCE OF GEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON WATER QUALITY IN FUFORE AREA, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA (original) (raw)

The paper discusses the determinations of influence of geology and anthropogenic activities on water quality in Fufore area, northeastern Nigeria. 20 water samples were collected from groundwater and surface water. The analytical results revealed average values as pH 7.1, EC 461.0 S/cm, Ca 2+ 9.71 mg/l, Mg 48.4 mg/l, Na + 22.7 mg/l, K + 7.1 mg/l, SO 4 2-21.1 mg/l, Cl-3.0 mg/l, HCO 3-221.4 mg/l, others include NO 3-21.1 mg/l, PO 4-0.1 mg/l, Fe 3+ 0.8 mg/l, Mn 2+ 0.2 mg/l, Cu 2+ 0.1 mg/l and total hardness (TH) 140.2mg/l. The mean values are below the WHO maximum permissible limit. The coliform number counts which range from 4 to too numerous to count (TNTC) exceeded the WHO recommended limit. The mean concentrations of the cations and anions were in the order of abundance as Ca 2+ >mg 2+ >Na + >Fe 3+ and HCO 3->NO 3->SO 4 2->Cl-. The statistical correlations using Pearson correlation between the chemical parameters range from 0.56 to 0.99 indicating moderate to strong positive correlation. The plots of log TDS against Na/(Na+Ca) ratio suggests precipitation induced chemical weathering along with dissolution of rock forming minerals which have contributed in the modification of the water chemistry. Chemical data on the trilinear diagram indicate Ca-(Mg)-HCO 3 and Ca-Mg-SO 4-Cl facies in the groundwater samples while the surface water indicated Ca-(Mg)-HCO 3 and Na-HCO 3. The water quality is unsuitable for human consumption without treatment due to bacteriological pollution. The groundwater quality is good for industrial applications based on total hardness (TH), iron and manganese concentrations while the surface water may not be suitable for some industrial applications due to high iron concentration. The water quality is good for agricultural activities as SAR, Ec, and TDS fall below the recommended standards. TDS values, ranging from 200 to 500mg/l is considered good for agricultural activities. INTRODUCTION The importance of hydrogeochemical investigation on the water resources of any region cannot be over emphasized. Geology and waste disposal practices have greatly modified the chemistry of surface and groundwater in many areas especially the developing countries of the world. Modification in water chemistry can lead to health problems or unpleasant taste, and may also affect agricultural and industrial activities (Ishaku and Ezeigbo, 2000).