Application of Geographic Information System in the Hydrochemical Evaluation of Groundwater in Parts of Eastern Niger Delta Nigeria

摘要

Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) in the hydrochemical evaluation of groundwater in parts of Eastern Niger Delta Nigeria has been done to ascertain the spatial distribution of pollutants and the hydrogeochemical character of the available water sources in the area. Fifty eight (58) water samples were collected within the study area and were subjected to chemical analyses. The result of the analyses revealed that Calcium concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0-0.22 and 0–1.4, for wet and dry seasons respectively, Magnesium concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0.2-4.6 and 0.2–3.0, for wet and dry seasons respectively, Sodium concentration (mg/l) ranged between 1.2-7.3 and 1.12–6.13, for wet and dry seasons respectively, while Potassium concentration (mg/l) ranged between 1.0-5.3 and 1.02–4.2, for wet and dry seasons respectively. Chlorine concentration (mg/l) ranged between 6.0-17.0 and 5.0–14, for wet and dry seasons respectively, Bicarbonate concentration (mg/l) ranged between 17.9-56.3 and 17.9–52.2, for wet and dry seasons respectively, while Sulphate concentration (mg/l) ranged between 164.6-248.0 and 121.1–224.0, for wet and dry seasons respectively. Arsenic concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0-1.35 and 0–1.25, for wet and dry seasons respectively, Copper concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0 - 0. 95 and 0 – 0.08, for wet and dry seasons respectively, Iron concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0-0.09 and 0–0.08, for wet and dry seasons respectively, Mercury concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0-0.014 and 0–0.01, for wet and dry seasons respectively, while Lead concentration (mg/l) ranged between 0-0.4 for both wet and dry seasons. The hydrochemical characterization modeling result revealed that SO4 and SO4 –HCO3 were the dominant ionic species in groundwater sources in the area, with a trend of SO4 > HCO3 > Cl > Na+K > Mg > Ca. This study therefore, recommends among others that public enlightenment efforts need to be enhanced in the entire area, especially in densely populated urban area, to improve on personal and public hygienic lives of the people. Efforts in this direction can reduce the problems of public water supply sources.