Scholarlink

<p>Water quality is a critical factor for domestic, industrial, and agricultural sustainability. However, anthropogenic and natural processes continuously impact water bodies, leading to contamination concerns. This study evaluates the groundwater quality in Ajaokuta, Nigeria, using hydrogeochemical and pollution indices. Seventeen groundwater samples (14 boreholes and 3 wells) were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, major ions, heavy metals, and health risk assessment using standard laboratory procedures, including spectrophotometry and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Results show that most physical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TA), and turbidity (TBT), fall within permissible limits, except for total dissolved solids (TDS) and total hardness (TH), which exceed recommended standards. Anionic concentrations (CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2</sup>⁻, HCO<sub>3</sub>⁻, Cl⁻, NO<sub>3</sub>⁻, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2</sup>⁻) comply with drinking water guidelines, while cationic concentrations (Ca, Na, K, Mg) remain within acceptable limits. Heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb) are generally below regulatory thresholds, though Mn, Ni, and Pb show localized elevation. Hydrogeochemical facies analysis, via Piper, Scholler, and Durov diagrams, suggests groundwater contamination from mineral weathering and anthropogenic influences. Multivariate statistical analysis reveals weak elemental correlations, except for Ca-Mg, and identifies six principal components, with PC1 (61% variance) capturing the most significant variability. Pollution indices (Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Degree of Contamination (Cd), Ecological Risk Index (ERI), Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo)) indicate that groundwater remains largely suitable for drinking and industrial use. Agricultural suitability assessments (SAR, MAR, %Na, SSP, KR) confirm their fitness for irrigation, although MAR values suggest potential risks for sensitive crops. Human health risk assessment shows hazard quotient (HQ) values below 1, suggesting no immediate health threats; however, the hazard index (HI) exceeds 1 for most heavy metals, except Zn, Fe (both ages), and Cu (adults), implying long-term exposure concerns. Periodic monitoring and mitigation strategies are recommended to ensure groundwater sustainability in the region.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Carcinogenic risk assessment, hydrogeochemical signatures, and irrigation suitability of groundwater within Ajaokuta and environs, North Central, Nigeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月6日

查看全文
  • K. O. Musa,
  • F. A. Akpah,
  • O. C. Akakuru,
  • G. O. Aigbadon,
  • A. C. Nanfa,
  • M. M. Shaibu,
  • J. B. Jimoh

摘要

Water quality is a critical factor for domestic, industrial, and agricultural sustainability. However, anthropogenic and natural processes continuously impact water bodies, leading to contamination concerns. This study evaluates the groundwater quality in Ajaokuta, Nigeria, using hydrogeochemical and pollution indices. Seventeen groundwater samples (14 boreholes and 3 wells) were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, major ions, heavy metals, and health risk assessment using standard laboratory procedures, including spectrophotometry and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Results show that most physical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TA), and turbidity (TBT), fall within permissible limits, except for total dissolved solids (TDS) and total hardness (TH), which exceed recommended standards. Anionic concentrations (CO32⁻, HCO3⁻, Cl⁻, NO3⁻, SO42⁻) comply with drinking water guidelines, while cationic concentrations (Ca, Na, K, Mg) remain within acceptable limits. Heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb) are generally below regulatory thresholds, though Mn, Ni, and Pb show localized elevation. Hydrogeochemical facies analysis, via Piper, Scholler, and Durov diagrams, suggests groundwater contamination from mineral weathering and anthropogenic influences. Multivariate statistical analysis reveals weak elemental correlations, except for Ca-Mg, and identifies six principal components, with PC1 (61% variance) capturing the most significant variability. Pollution indices (Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Degree of Contamination (Cd), Ecological Risk Index (ERI), Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo)) indicate that groundwater remains largely suitable for drinking and industrial use. Agricultural suitability assessments (SAR, MAR, %Na, SSP, KR) confirm their fitness for irrigation, although MAR values suggest potential risks for sensitive crops. Human health risk assessment shows hazard quotient (HQ) values below 1, suggesting no immediate health threats; however, the hazard index (HI) exceeds 1 for most heavy metals, except Zn, Fe (both ages), and Cu (adults), implying long-term exposure concerns. Periodic monitoring and mitigation strategies are recommended to ensure groundwater sustainability in the region.