Determination of the Influence of Geology and Anthropogenic Activities on Water Quality in Agenebode and Environs, Southwestern Nigeria

Authors

  • Omasan Godwin Akperi Department of Geology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
  • Sikiru Salami Department of Geology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Keywords:

Aquifer, Geology, Water chemistry, Anthropogenic, Water quality

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of geology and anthropogenic activities on water chemistry and quality in Agenebode and environs, southwestern Nigeria. Agenebode and environs is underlain by the Ajali and Mamu Formations of the Anambra Basin and is drained by the River Niger. 10 groundwater and surface water samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The results revealed ranges of values for the parameters such as pH 5.8 - 6.7, EC 11.4- 228.1 µmhos/cm, Ca 0.48 - 2.73 mg/l, Mg 0.32 - 1.8 mg/l, Na 0.15 - 0.97 mg/l, K 0.28 - 2.73 mg/l, SO4 0.014 - 0.181 mg/l, Cl 10.4 - 124.1 mg/l, HCO3 30.3 - 85.4 mg/l, NO3 0.354 - 1.843 mg/l, Fe 0.081 - 0.304 mg/l, Mn 0.019 - 0.081 mg/l, Cu 0.011 - 0.063mg/l and hardness 2.512 - 14.205mg/l. The values of pH, Fe and Pb are above the limits in some of the samples (NIS, 2015; WHO, 2017). When plotted on a piper plot, the samples ranged from Magnesium Bicarbonate water type to Calcium Chloride water type, but the dominant type was the Mixed type and the distribution of ions was as follows Mg2+> Na++ K+>Ca2+> and Cl->> HCO3-> NO3-> SO42-. Correlation and regression analyses showed that the pH of the groundwater in Agenebode is influenced negatively by the TDS, EC, Salinity, COD, DO and the Major and Minor constituents. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the samples taken on and close to the River Niger shared similar characteristics, while samples taken further inland shared similar characteristics but all these samples differed in characteristics from the sample taken from the Mamu Formation. It is recommended that biological parameters should be measured in the study area in order to gain a clearer picture of the water quality especially from the anthropogenic point of view.

References

Agagu, O.K., Fayose, E.A., Petters, S.W., 1985. Stratigraphy and sedimentation in the Senonian Anambra Basin of eastern Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology 22, 25-36.

Akujieze, C.N., Coker, S.J.L., Oteze, G.E., 2003. Groundwater in Nigeria – a millennium experience - distribution, practice, problems and solutions. Hydrogeology Journal 11, 259-274.

Amadi, A.N., Umoru, T.A., Umeugochukwu, O.P., Nwankwuoala, H.O., Oguntade, T.U., Ibrahim, H.A., Hussaini, S.U., 2020. Suitability of Groundwater in Auchi and its Environs for Irrigation Purposes. The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology 21, 379-387.

Ariyo, S.O., 2005. Geoelectrical characterization of aquifers and Geochemical study of groundwater in the basement complex/sedimentary transition zone around Ishara, Southwestern Nigeria. Unpublished M. Phil. Thesis. Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 137.

Ayers, R.S., Westcot, D.W., 1985. Water quality for agriculture FAO irrigation and drain. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, Italy.

Celzard, A., 2013. Re: Is there a relationship between pH and conductivity? Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_there_a_relationship_between_pH_and_conductivity/52b9c40ad4c118ad1c8b4614/citation/download.

Danhalilu, R.L., Sani, M.M., Idris, A.K., 2018. Comparative Analysis of groundwater Quality in Basement and Sedimentary Formations of Katsina State, North-Western Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Technology 27 (5), 1-8.

Earle, S., 2006. Geology of Groundwater. Malaspina University-College - GEOL-304 - Hydrogeology unpublished lecture notes, 1-13.

Edegbai, A.J., Emofurieta, W.O., 2015. Preliminary assessment of source rock potential and Palynofacies analysis of Maastrichtian dark shale, SW Anambra Basin. Ife Journal of Science 17 (1), 131-139.

Edegbai, A.J., Schwark, L., Oboh-Ikuenobe, F.E., 2019. A review of the latest Cenomanian to Maastrichtian geological evolution of Nigeria and its stratigraphic and paleogeographic implications. Journal of African Earth Sciences 150, 823-837.

Edet, A., Nganje, T.N., Ukpong, A.J., Ekwere, A.S., 2011. Groundwater chemistry and quality of Nigeria: A status review. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 5 (13), 1152-1169.

Fasunwon, O.O., Ayeni, A.O., Lawal, A.O., 2010. A Comparative Study of Basement Water Quality from Sedimentary Terrain and Basement Complex in South-Western, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 4 (3), 327-335.

Gibbs, R.J., 1970. Mechanisms Controlling World Water Chemistry. Science 170, 1088-1090.

Huneau, F., Bello, M., Ketchemen-Tandia, B., Nlend, B., Fouepe, A., Fantong, W., Ngo Boum-Nkot, S., Garel, E., Celle-Jeanton, H., 2019. Shallow groundwater quality evolution after 20 years of exploitation in the southern Lake Chad: hydrochemistry and stable isotopes survey in the far north of Cameroon. Environmental Earth Sciences 78, 474.

Idowu, O.A., Ajayi, O., 1998. Groundwater Occurrence in Southwestern Nigeria. A Comparism of two environments. Journal of NAH 9, 33-40.

Langmuir, D., 1997. Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry”. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs. 601.

Lester, J.N., Birkett, J.W., 1999. Microbiology and Chemistry for Environmental Scientists and Engineers.2nd eds. E & FN Spon, New York.

NIS, 2015. Nigerian Industrial Standard, Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality – ICS 13.060.20. Standard Organization of Nigeria 1-28.

Nwajide, C.S., 2013. Geology of Nigeria Sedimentary basins. CSS Publisher, Lagos Nigeria 520.

Nwankwo, C.B., Hoque, M.A., Islam, M.A., Dewan, A., 2020. Groundwater Constituents and Trace Elements in the Basement Aquifers of Africa and Sedimentary Aquifers of Asia: Medical Hydrogeology of Drinking Water Minerals and Toxicants. Earth Systems and Environment 4, 369-384.

Obiadi, I.I., Onwuemesi, A.G., Anike, O.L., Obiadi, C.M., Ajaegwu, N.E., Anakwuba, E.K., Akpunonu, E.O, Ezim, E.O., 2012. Modelling Crystalline Rock Porosity and Permeability from Geological and Geophysical Field Studies: The Igarra Example. International Journal of Environmental Engineering Research 1, 5-15.

Ogala, J.E., Olobaniyi, S.B., Omo-Irabor, O.O., Adaikpoh, E.O., 2015. Petrographic and geochemical study of the Maastrichtian Ajali Sandstone, North Central Nigeria. Geological Quarterly 59 (1), 79-90.

Osazuwa A.A., Opeloye, S.A., 2014. Provenance of sandstone on the Western Flank of Anambra Basin, Southwestern Nigeria. Global Journal of Geological Sciences 14, 13-21.

Piper, A.M., 1944. A graphic procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water-analyses. Eos, Transaction American Geophysical Union 25 (6), 914-928.

Reyment, R.A., 1965. Aspects of Geology of Nigeria. University of Ibadan Press.

Tijani, M.N., Nton, M.E., Kitagawa, R., 2010. Textural and geochemical characteristics of Ajali Sandstone, Anambra Basin, SE Nigeria: implication for its provenance. Geoscience 342, 136-150.

Uliana, M.M., 2012. Hydrogeology Lecture Notes. Unpublished 78-83.

Umeji, O.P., Nwajide, C.S., 2007. Age control and designation of the standard stratotype of Nsukka Formation of Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Mineralogical Geology 43 (2), 147-166.

Wali, S.U., Dankani, I.M., Abubakar, S.D., Gada, M.A., Umar, K.J., Usman, A.A., Shera, I.M., 2020. Reassessing groundwater Potentials and Subsurface Water Hydrochemistry in a Tropical Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Geological Research 2 (3), 1-24.


Wilcox, L.V., 1948. The quality of water for irrigation use. US Department of Agriculture Technology Washington DC Bulletin 962, 40.
World Health Organization, 2017. Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality; Fourth Edition, incorporating the first Addendum. World Health Organization 4, 144-230.

Downloads

Published

2023-05-09