Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study evaluates the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality of boreholes within Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Southwestern Nigeria. Seven groundwater samples were collected randomly and analyzed to determine key physicochemical parameters. Field measurements included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, and salinity, while laboratory analysis of major ions and trace metals was performed using ICP-OES. Results showed that groundwater in the area was slightly acidic, with pH values ranging from 6.2 to 6.9. EC (239.5–524.9 µS/cm) and TDS (142.7–323.1 mg/L) fall within World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, indicating low mineralization and freshwater. Major cations occurred in order of Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Mg²⁺, while the anions were in order of Cl⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > HCO₃⁻,. Piper diagram classification revealed the dominance of calcium–chloride water type, suggesting significant rock–water interaction and mineral dissolution processes. Although most major ion concentrations were within the WHO standards, the trace elements—including Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Ni—exceeded the recommended limits of WHO at some locations, indicating
localized anthropogenic contamination. These elevated concentrations pose potential health risks and reduce suitability of the groundwater for domestic purpose. Generally, the groundwater within ABUAD fell within freshwater and suitable for domestic use; however, evidence of trace elements enrichment highlights the need for continuous water quality monitoring and the
implementation of environmental management strategies to prevent further contamination.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors hold the copyright of all published articles except otherwise stated.
References
Akakuru, O. C., Akakuru, O. U., and Akudinobi, B. E. (2021). Evaluation of groundwater quality using water quality index and multivariate statistical analysis in parts of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 11(3), 54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201 021-01384-3
Aller, L., Bennett, T., Lehr, J. H., Petty, R. J., and Hackett, G. (1987). DRASTIC: A standardized system for evaluating groundwater pollution potential using hydrogeologic settings. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/2-87/035.
Alsuhaimi, A. O., Al-Nidawy, N. K., and Al-Zahrani, A. M. (2019). Assessment of trace metals and hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater of the North Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Journal of the African Earth Sciences, 151, 194–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.12.010
Appelo, C. A. J., and Postma, D. (2005). Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution (2nd ed.). A.A. Balkema Publishers. Fetter, C. W. (2001). Applied hydrogeology (4th ed.). Prentice Hall. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2003). Groundwater management: The search for practical approaches. FAO Water Reports No. 25. FAO. https://www.fao.org/3/y4502e/y4502e.pdf
Foster, S., Hirata, R., Gomes, D., D’Elia, M., and Paris, M. (2002). Groundwater quality protection: A guide for water service companies, municipal authorities, and environment agencies. World Bank. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/doc uments reports/documentdetail/835261468763700108
Ganiyu, S. A., Badmus, B. S., Olurin, O. T., and Ojekunle, Z. O. (2015). Evaluation of seasonal variation of water quality using multivariate statistical analysis and irrigation parameter indices in Ajakanga area, Ibadan. Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 8(1), 1–15.
Gugulothu, S., Subbarao, N., Das, R., and Dhakate, R. (2022). Geochemical evaluation of groundwater and suitability of groundwater quality for irrigation purpose in an agricultural region of South India. Applied Water Science, 12(6), 1–13. He, S., and Li, P. (2020). A MATLAB based graphical user interface (GUI) for quickly producing widely used hydrogeochemical diagrams. Geochemistry, 80(4), 125550.
Jayathunga, K., Diyabalanage, S., Frank, A. H., Chandrajith, R., and Barth, J. A. (2020). Influences of seawater intrusion and anthropogenic activities on shallow coastal aquifers in Sri Lanka: Evidence from hydrogeochemical and data. Environmental Science stable and isotope Pollution Research, 27(18), 23002–23014.
Ma, J., Chen, S., Feng, S., and Ding, D. (2022). Hydrochemical characteristics, hydraulic connectivity and water quality assessment of multilayer aquifers in Western Suzhou City, Northern Anhui Province. China. Water Supply, 22(3), 2644 2658. Meybeck, M. (1987). Global chemical weathering of surficial rocks estimated from river dissolved loads. American Journal of Science, 287(5), 401–428.
Olofinlade, A. J., Ajayi, O., and Alatise, O. O. (2018). Hydrogeochemical characterization and quality assessment of groundwater in some parts of Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 22(5), 677–683.
Rahman, M. A., Majumder, R. K., Hossain, S. H., Halim, M. A., and Saha, B. B. (2015). Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking purposes in South-Western Bangladesh. Applied Water Science, 5(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-014-0153-6
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2015). The United Nations World Water Development Report 2015: Water for a sustainable world. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf000023182 3
WHO (2011). Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, Health Criteria and Other Supporting Information,vol.1,p.130.Geneva.http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2011/dwq_gui delines/en/. (Accessed 25 December 2016).
WHO (2017). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization. World Health Organization (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality (4th ed., incorporating the 1st addendum).
World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789 241549950 World Health Organization. (2008). Guidelines for drinking water quality (3rd ed.). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978924154 7610 Yetiş, R., et al. (2019). Determination of the hydrogeochemical properties and water quality of the groundwater in the Ergene Basin (NW Turkey). Environmental Earth Sciences, 78(15), 455.
Zhang, Q., Xu, P., and Qian, H. (2020). Groundwater quality assessment using improved water quality index (WQI) and human health risk (HHR) evaluation in a semi-arid region of northwest China. Exposure and Health, 12(3), 487–500.