Abstract

Hydrogeochemical processes influencing groundwater quality in the Black Volta Basin of Ghana have been studied. Groundwater samples were collected from 93 water points for physico-chemical analysis using standard methods. Major cation concentration was, generally, in the order of Ca²⁺> Na⁺>Mg²⁺>K⁺ while major anion concentration followed the order HCO₃->Cl->SO₄^2-. Mineral weathering (rock dissolution) and ion exchange were the controlling factors of groundwater composition. Stability diagrams show groundwater to be largely in equilibrium with Montmorillonite and Kaolinite and are quite reminiscent of climatic conditions pertaining to the geographical region of the basin. Ca-Mg-HCO₃ is the main groundwater type in the basin. Minor water types are Na-HCO₃ and Ca-Mg-SO₄. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), indicates that, HCO₃^- Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and F-contribute mainly to TDS and originate from the same-rock weathering.

Keywords:

Anion, cation, chemical parameters, concentration, groundwater type , physical parameters,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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