Hydrogeochemical process of ions in groundwater of communities along Southern-axis Atlantic Ocean in Bayelsa, Nigeria

Abstract

The hydrogeochemical process of groundwater from hand-dug well within communities located along the Southern axis of the Atlantic Ocean was examined based on its major ions concentration. Fifteen (15) water samples were collected across the study area and analyzed using the American Public Health Association (APHA) laboratory standard. With the aid of ArcGIS 10.7, the spatial distribution of physiochemical parameters and major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, HCO− 3, SO4 2-, Cl− and PO4 3-) were determined. The cations and anions of the groundwater trended as Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Na+ and HCO− 3> SO4 2- > Cl− > PO4 3-, respectively, while all values are within World Health Organization (WHO) allowable limit except Ca2+. The positive correlation among major ions illustrated similarities in the sources and distributions based on principal component analysis, while the cluster analysis established the complexity of the hydrogeochemical processes. Piper and Durov plot aided the geochemical process identification where the groundwater of the area showed the dominance of Ca2+-Mg2+-HCOˉ3, Na+- HCOˉ3 and Ca2±Mg2+- SO4 2-/Cl−; hence, the hydrogeochemical process was influenced by water–rock interaction of possible carbonate weathering characterized by the earth’s alkaline water and weak acids.