Hydrogeochemical approach in the assessment of coastal aquifer for domestic, industrial, and agricultural utilities in Port Harcourt urban, Southern Nigeria

• Published in: International Journal of Energy and Water Resources 2023-09, Vol.7 (3), p.401-419
• Main Authors: Eyankware, M. O., Akakuru, O. C., Ulakpa, R. O. E., Eyankware, E. O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquifers; Boreholes; Calcium ions; Clay; Coastal aquifers; Coasts; Contamination; Creeks & streams; Drinking; Drinking water; Groundwater; Groundwater irrigation; Groundwater quality; Hydrogeochemistry; Industrial applications; Influence; Irrigation; Magnesium; Physicochemical analysis; Saline water; Saline water intrusion; Salinity; Sampling; Seawater; Water analysis; Water monitoring; Water quality; Water sampling
• ISSN: 2538-3604; 2522-0101
• DOI: 10.1007/s42108-022-00184-2

The study focuses on the assessment of coastal aquifers in the selected part of Port Harcourt, Nigeria for drinking, industrial, and irrigation use. For this study, a total of 18 groundwater samples were collected from the borehole for physicochemical analysis following the APHA set standard. Results obtained from physicochemical analysis were compared to the WHO and USEPA set limits to determine the suitability of groundwater for domestic use. Collin’s Ratio and Corrosivity Ratio was used to determine the suitability of groundwater for industrial use, while irrigation indices were used to determine the suitability of groundwater for irrigation use. Findings from the study revealed that pH, TDS, EC, Mg2+, Na+, NO3¯, Ca2+, Cl¯, and SO42¯ were below the WHO and USEPA set limits. The values of K+ at some sample locations were above the permissible limit set by WHO. Hence, groundwater at such sampling points was considered unsafe for domestic use. Findings obtained from the assessment of groundwater for industrial use revealed that 91% of groundwater is considered suitable for industrial use, while 9% is considered to be fairly suitable for industrial use. Further findings from Collin’s ratio revealed that 4% of groundwater was considered suitable for drinking, while 3% is considered to show a trace of saline water intrusion, and about 97% is considered to be injurious to human health. According to the irrigation indices estimated values, 72% of groundwater is suitable for irrigation, while 28% is considered to be fair to unsuitable. The plot of TDS against TH revealed that groundwater within the study area fell within the very hard, freshwater category. Results from this study suggest that groundwater is considered to be good for domestic, industrial, and irrigation purposes at various sampling points. It is advised that frequent monitoring of groundwater quality should be carried out from time to time to avoid a decline in groundwater quality.