THE GEOLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF UKEHE AREA SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The present study deals on the geology and the quality assessment of surface and groundwater in Ukehe and environs, Igbo-Etiti L.G.A, southeastern Nigeria, in order to determine its suitability for domestic and agricultural purposes. The field study revealed that the area is underlain by two lithologic Units; A and B. The unit A is comprises of whitish, yellowish to brownish sandstone, fine to medium grained, poorly sorted and cross bedded. The unit B is made up of brownish to reddish ironstone with lateritic overburden. A total of ten (10) water samples were collected from difference locations within the study. The mean level of Cl- in the water samples ranged from 122±781mg/l. The NO3- ranged from 1±3mg/l, EC, Mg2+ and HCO3 mean values ranged from 32±64mg/l, 0±0.02mg/l and 0.5±5mg/l respectively. Ca2+ ranged from 6.5±185mg/l, Fe value ranged between 0±0.11mg/l. For Na+, the mean levels in the water samples ranged from 0±0.04mg/l, K ranged from 0.14±6.79mg/l, pH ranged from 5.5±8mg/l, SO42- ranged from 0.01±0.02mg/l, TDS ranged from 0.02±0.68mg/l while E-coli ranged from 8±62mg/l. The mean level of Zn in the water samples ranged from 1.52±2.1mg/l. For Mn, the mean level in the water samples ranged from 1.12±10.13mg/l. Ni had mean ranged value of 0.28±0.33mg/l. For Cu, the mean level ranged from 0.33±0.36mg/l. The mean concentration of Pb ranged from 0.07±0.12mg/l. For Cr, the mean level ranged from 0±0.03mg/l. The observed values of the physio-chemical parameter recorded shows that Cl-, Ca2+, turbidity and Fe are above the recommended values as prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO), which implies that they are not good for domestic uses. However, Mn, Cu and Pb depicts that are above WHO standard, and it can lead to serious health issues. However, the piper trilinear plot shows that the samples falls within two hardness, which is permanent and temporary hardness. The stiff diagram shows possible source like sandstone, shale gypsum. In all, the portable water in the study area is relatively safe and fit for consumption and Agricultural purposes except for areas that is above WHO standard.