Hydrochemistry and structural control of groundwater flow in the mining areas of Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria

The Abakaliki area is endowed with solid minerals including lead–zinc, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and siderite. These generate metallic trace elements (MTEs) that contaminate water resources. Spectrophotometric method was applied to evaluate the main hydrochemical constituents of groundwater resources wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainable water resources management 2023-02, Vol.9 (1), p.32, Article 32
Main Authors: Obasi, P. N., Okolo, C. M., Edene, E. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cadmium
Chalcopyrite
Contaminants
Development Economics
Direction
Drinking water
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Fractures
Groundwater
Groundwater flow
Groundwater mining
Hydrochemistry
Hydrogeology
Hydrology/Water Resources
Lead
Management planning
Manganese
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
Minerals
Mining
Original Article
Pollution transport
Pyrite
Recharge areas
Selenium
Siderite
Spectrophotometry
Sustainable Development
Trace elements
Vectors
Waste management
Water Policy/Water Governance/Water Management
Water pollution
Water resources
Zinc
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Summary:The Abakaliki area is endowed with solid minerals including lead–zinc, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and siderite. These generate metallic trace elements (MTEs) that contaminate water resources. Spectrophotometric method was applied to evaluate the main hydrochemical constituents of groundwater resources while geohydrological and field mapping techniques have been applied to study the fracture system and the influence on the migration, flow direction and subsequent transport of contaminants in the area. Result indicates that levels of Cl − , SO 4 2− , As, Mn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Hg and Se in some wells are above the World Health Organization and Standard Organization of Nigeria guidelines for drinking water. Also, MTEs are transported in the saturated zone through fracture network which trends mainly in the NW–SE direction. This controls groundwater occurrence in the area. The distribution of geochemical elements indicates higher concentrations in wells within the mining areas and downstream. This is due to non-connectivity of fractures in all places. Northeasterly and Southeasterly groundwater flow vectors were observed. Predominance of recharge areas was observed in the central parts while the southern parts form the discharge areas. This is useful for proper groundwater resources and waste management planning.
ISSN:2363-5037
2363-5045
DOI:10.1007/s40899-022-00798-8