Water Quality Index and Processes in Basement Complex Terrain of Southwestern, Nigeria
Pages : 1053-1060Download PDF
Groundwater Quality Index (WQI) was used in evaluating the water qualities of groundwater of the Southwestern part of Nigeria. The objective is to provide WQI reference values and pattern for this environment. A total of seventy-three water samples were taken and tested for TS, pH,temp , Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, nitrate, chloride, phosphate, bicarbonate, lead, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and calcium determined in the water samples and were used for the data input. The results of the TDS ranged from 50-1930mg/l, and Electrical Conductivity ranged from 128-638μS/cm. The WQI results show that the value of the groundwater ranged from 12.01 to 143.43. The WQI results show that all the studied underground samples fall in the ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ water category indicating that its suitability except 12 water samples that fall in ‘poor’ category indicating that the water is unsuitable for human consumption unless treated. Gibbs plots identified rock–water interaction . Silicate weathering and dissolution of carbonate minerals were pointed as an other vital processes that influence the chemistry of studied water samples. Some studied water is unsuitable for human consumption and should be treated before usage.
Keywords: Water Quality Index, Hydrochemical processes, Groundwater, Basement Complex, Nigeria