HYDROGEOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF GROUNDWATER IN EASTERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF ONITSHA AND ENVIRONS

Abstract

Hydro Hydro Hydro Hydro----geological studies revealed that Onitsha and environs tapped their groundwater from the middle aquifer (> geological studies revealed that Onitsha and environs tapped their groundwater from the middle aquifer (> geological studies revealed that Onitsha and environs tapped their groundwater from the middle aquifer (> geological studies revealed that Onitsha and environs tapped their groundwater from the middle aquifer (> 40 m < 90 m)which belongs to the Ameki group; hence, water samples from ten (10) wells in areas of high 40 m < 90 m)which belongs to the Ameki group; hence, water samples from ten (10) wells in areas of high 40 m < 90 m)which belongs to the Ameki group; hence, water samples from ten (10) wells in areas of high 40 m < 90 m)which belongs to the Ameki group; hence, water samples from ten (10) wells in areas of high population density namely Okpoko, Fegge, main market, GRA phase 1, Inland town, Nkpor, Obosi, Awada and population density namely Okpoko, Fegge, main market, GRA phase 1, Inland town, Nkpor, Obosi, Awada and population density namely Okpoko, Fegge, main market, GRA phase 1, Inland town, Nkpor, Obosi, Awada and population density namely Okpoko, Fegge, main market, GRA phase 1, Inland town, Nkpor, Obosi, Awada and Mgbemena on 6 Mgbemena on 6 Mgbemena on 6 Mgbemena on 6000049’30”E and 6 49’30”E and 6 49’30”E and 6 49’30”E and 600008’830”N were 8’830”N were 8’830”N were 8’830”N were collected for biological and physiochemical analysis in order to collected for biological and physiochemical analysis in order to collected for biological and physiochemical analysis in order to collected for biological and physiochemical analysis in order to determine its quality for consumption by comparing with established standard of World Health Organization. The determine its quality for consumption by comparing with established standard of World Health Organization. The determine its quality for consumption by comparing with established standard of World Health Organization. The determine its quality for consumption by comparing with established standard of World Health Organization. The samples were samples were samples were samples were analyzed analyzed analyzed analyzed using standard methods. The Coliform counts result showed using standard methods. The Coliform counts result showed using standard methods. The Coliform counts result showed using standard methods. The Coliform counts result showed a range of 1 to 30MPN/100MI a range of 1 to 30MPN/100MI a range of 1 to 30MPN/100MI a range of 1 to 30MPN/100MI while heavy metal value shows that Fe > Zn > Mn > Ba > Cu. The results for the major cations while heavy metal value shows that Fe > Zn > Mn > Ba > Cu. The results for the major cations while heavy metal value shows that Fe > Zn > Mn > Ba > Cu. The results for the major cations while heavy metal value shows that Fe > Zn > Mn > Ba > Cu. The results for the major cations analyzed analyzed analyzed analyzed shows a shows a shows a shows a mean value of Na mean value of Na mean value of Na mean value of Na++++ (3.32 mg l (3.32 mg l (3.32 mg l (3.32 mg l----1111), K ), K ), K ), K++++ (0.8mg l (0.8mg l (0.8mg l (0.8mg l----1111) Ca ) Ca ) Ca ) Ca2+2+2+2+ (8.62 mg l (8.62 mg l (8.62 mg l (8.62 mg l----1111), Mg ), Mg ), Mg ), Mg2+2+2+2+ (2.57mg l (2.57mg l (2.57mg l (2.57mg l----1111), Temperature, pH, Total ), Temperature, pH, Total ), Temperature, pH, Total ), Temperature, pH, Total Dissolv Dissolv Dissolv Dissolved Solid (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) where measured in situ, major anions where also ed Solid (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) where measured in situ, major anions where also ed Solid (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) where measured in situ, major anions where also ed Solid (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) where measured in situ, major anions where also analyzed analyzed analyzed analyzed and the results shows that the mean value for HCO and the results shows that the mean value for HCO and the results shows that the mean value for HCO and the results shows that the mean value for HCO3333---- (61mg l (61mg l (61mg l (61mg l----1111), PO ), PO ), PO ), PO44443333---- (61.5 mg l (61.5 mg l (61.5 mg l (61.5 mg l----llll), NO ), NO ), NO ), NO3333---- (21.6 mg l (21.6 mg l (21.6 mg l (21.6 mg l----1111) , SO ) , SO ) , SO ) , SO44442222---- (99 mg l (99 mg l (99 mg l (99 mg l---- 1111), while Cl ), while Cl ), while Cl ), while Cl---- (450 mg l (450 mg l (450 mg l (450 mg l----1111), C), C), C), Correlation at P < 0.05 using micro soft excel 2007shows that metals assessed were from orrelation at P < 0.05 using micro soft excel 2007shows that metals assessed were from orrelation at P < 0.05 using micro soft excel 2007shows that metals assessed were from orrelation at P < 0.05 using micro soft excel 2007shows that metals assessed were from similar source. The ultimate result when compared with World Health Organization shows that the groundwater of similar source. The ultimate result when compared with World Health Organization shows that the groundwater of similar source. The ultimate result when compared with World Health Organization shows that the groundwater of similar source. The ultimate result when compared with World Health Organization shows that the groundwater of the middle aquiferous horizon in Onitsha and environ in Ea the middle aquiferous horizon in Onitsha and environ in Ea the middle aquiferous horizon in Onitsha and environ in Ea the middle aquiferous horizon in Onitsha and environ in Eastern Nigeria is polluted in some areas covered in this stern Nigeria is polluted in some areas covered in this stern Nigeria is polluted in some areas covered in this stern Nigeria is polluted in some areas covered in this research and not fit for consumption except when treated appropriately.