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Abstract
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Article Information:
Multivariate Statistical and Spatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Tolon-Kumbungu District, Ghana
S.J. Cobbina, F.A. Armah and S. Obiri
Corresponding Author: S.J. Cobbina
Submitted: 2011 August, 23
Accepted: 2011 October, 07
Published: 2012 January, 01 |
Abstract:
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The study was conducted to assess the quality of groundwater in 47 boreholes in the Tolon
Kumbungu District of Ghana, using multivariate statistical and spatial techniques. The results indicate that
physicochemical parameters exhibit wide variability. About 8.5% of the samples recorded pH outside World
Health Organization recommended limit of 6.5-8.5. Approximately 43% of samples recorded conductivity
levels higher than 1000 μS/cm, while close to 19% of boreholes recorded total iron concentrations above 0.3
mg/L. Approximately 3.4% of boreholes recorded arsenic concentrations above 0.01 mg/L. Alkalinity ranged
from 28 to 766 mg/L CaCO3 ; and groundwater in the area can be considered to have relatively high buffering
capacity. Turbidity was associated with mineral matter suspension (Fe). Principal component analysis indicates
that the data is a three-component system explaining 65% of the total variance. The first two components
account for more than 50% of the total variance. Cluster analysis categorised the sampling locations into three
spatially dissimilar groups. The natural hydrochemistry of the groundwater system appears to explain much of
the variability of the data. However, a groundwater monitoring programme is recommended to characterise the
variability of the parameters over longer temporal scales.
Key words: Contamination, Ghana, groundwater, multivariate, physicochemical, spatial,
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Cite this Reference:
S.J. Cobbina, F.A. Armah and S. Obiri, . Multivariate Statistical and Spatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Tolon-Kumbungu District, Ghana. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (01): 88-98.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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