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Abstract
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Article Information:
The Hydrochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Groundwater in Semiarid Yola Area, Northeast, Nigeria
Gabriel I. Obiefuna and Donatus M. Orazulike
Corresponding Author: Gabriel Ike Obiefuna
Submitted: 2011 March, 24
Accepted: 2011 April, 20
Published: 2011 June, 05 |
Abstract:
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The aim of the study is to characterize groundwater in semiarid Yola area of northeastern Nigeria
employing chemical indicators. The dissolution of halite, gypsum, dolomite and calcite determines Na+, Mg2+,
Ca2+, ClG, SO4
2- and HCO3- chemistry while other processes such as evaporation and ion exchange also
influence the water composition. Surface water and groundwater chemistry data enabled geographical zones
and chemical types to be differentiated. Groundwater in the study area is slightly acidic to neutral in nature.
Chemistry of groundwater suggests that alkaline earths (Ca+Mg) significantly exceed the alkalis (Na+K) and
weak acids (HCO3+CO3) exceed the strong acids (Cl+SO4), suggesting the dominance of CO3 weathering
followed by silicate weathering. Hydrogeochemical studies disclosed that Na+-HCO3- and Na+-Cl- are the
dominant ion types for the shallow groundwater (<25 m), Mg2+-Cl-, Mg2+-HCO3- and Na+-Cl- for the deep
groundwater (>25 m) and Na+-Cl- for the surface water bodies. A high positive correlation (r2 = 0.87) between
Na+ and Cl- suggests that the salinity of groundwater is due to intermixing of two or more groundwater bodies
with different hydrochemical compositions. Chemical fertilizers and anthropogenic activities are contributing
to sulphate, nitrate and chloride concentrations measured in some surface water and groundwater samples in
the study area as evidenced by the relatively high sulphate, nitrate and chloride concentrations. Most of the
groundwater samples are suitable for domestic purposes.
Key words: Chemical indicators, dissolution, hydrgeochemical studies, Nigeria, Yola area, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Gabriel I. Obiefuna and Donatus M. Orazulike, . The Hydrochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Groundwater in Semiarid Yola Area, Northeast, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (4): 400-416.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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