Ground water quality assessment of newly created Local Governments in Nigeria – A case of Nkwerre, Local Government, Imo State
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
U. P.
Abstract
The creation of new Local governments in Nigeria brought about new socio-economic order such as over population, pressure on the available facilities and new land use elements with their generated wastes. There is the need to examine the present status of the underground water resource of these regions for effective development of the newly created local governments. For this reason it becomes necessary to carry out the ground water quality assessment of newly created local governments in Nigeria as a source of data base for development using Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State as a case study. The study was carried out by acquiring geologic and topographic maps of the area for easy identification of sample population areas and to identify geological boundaries, Spring out crops, landuse element especially waste dump sites. Agricultural and industrial projects were visited and examined. A total of 6 water samples from bore holes within six communities were collected and analyzed. Analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy for major cations. Heavy metal analysis was undertaken using spectrophometer, potassium was determined using flame photometer method, concentration of total iron (Fe2+) was determined calorimetrically using spekker absorption meter while total dissolved solids (TDS) was determined using glass fiber filter. Turbidity. Physical parameters like ph and dissolved oxygen were measured insitu in the field with appropriate standard maters. The result of geochemical analysis shows that the water has high turbidity, high iron, slightly acidic, soft portable and suitable for industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes, but requires treatment to reduce iron and turbidity. The water type belongs to a no dominant cation and anion type and can be grouped as Mg2+-Ca2+ - So42+ - HCo3 water. North western segment in infested with ecoli bacteria. The general pollution index of 0.777 shows that the water in the area is ideal for various purposes, however, remediation of iron, turbidity and bacteria presence is proposed.
Description
This article contains figures and tables
Keywords
Department of Geology, evaluation, groundwater, quality Nigeria, contamination, population.
Citation
Onunkwo, A. A., Uzoije, A. P., Onyekuru, S. O., Agumanu, A. E. & Chinaemelu, E. S. ( 2013 ). Ground water quality assessment of newly created Local Governments in Nigeria – A case of Nkwerre, Local Government, Imo State. Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, 5(3), 93-99