Open AccessSpatial and source disparities of groundwater quality in Dawakin-Tofa local government area of Kano State, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Abubakar Abdulazeez,
A. U. Adamu
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/344/1/012027
Subject(s) - borehole , environmental science , groundwater , pollution , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , geotechnical engineering , ecology , biology
The research assessed the spatial and source variations in groundwater quality in different locations and wells respectively across Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area. The study area was divided into 10 by imposing a grid on its map and thereafter 10 hand dug wells and boreholes were selected, one from each location. Physical and chemical parameters like temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and heavy metals were tested in the laboratory and figures statistically compared with Nigeria’s national standard using ANOVA. The most notable difference in quality parameters between open wells and boreholes is in TDSs, electrical conductivity and chlorine content. The differences recorded in the other quality parameters ranged from between 0.0026 mg/l (in the case of lead) to 0.7°C (in the case of Temperature). This showed that the physio-chemical properties of open wells and boreholes are not much significantly different in the areas. The mean difference of TDSs between wells and boreholes in Dawakin-Tofa LGA is 35.721 mg/l, meaning that well waters are generally more turbid than that of boreholes which was not unexpected because of structural differences and modes of operation. While some quality parameters in Dawakin Tofa like TDSs, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Chlorine and Manganese content generally recorded non-harmful values as compared to the drinking standard; others like lead, chromium, cadmium recorded harmful values. Only Jalli (with above 300) and Tattarawa (with above 400) mg/l recorded TDS levels close to the maximum accepted limit of 500. This study further confirms the increased danger and risk of contaminated groundwater among consumer’s not only urban areas, but also in rural areas as well. Though, the levels of some elements like Sodium, Chlorine, Manganese and Magnesium in groundwater of Dawakin-Tofa LGA are currently within the National Acceptable limits, but the concentration of heavy metals clearly shows there is serious risk. Continuous monitoring, control and necessary policy decisions were recommended.