Assessment of Shallow Ground Water Quality of Pindiga Gombe Area, Yola Area, NE, Nigeria for Irrigation and Domestic Purposes

摘要

The aim of this study is to assess the shallow groundwater quality of Pindiga Gombe area for irrigation and domestic purposes. Fifteen water samples collected from wells tapping shallow aquifer was used. The water samples were analyzed for major cations: Na+, Ca2+, K+ and anions: C-, HCO₃-1, SO₄ 2- and NO₃-. The important constituents that influence the water quality for irrigation such as Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Permeability Index (PI), Kellys Ratio (KR), and Residual Sodium Bicarbonate (RSBC) were assessed and compared with standard limits. The values of total dissolved solids (<166 mg/L), electrical conductivity (<0.249 ds/m), soluble sodium percentage (2.60 to 38.40%), permeability index (0.19 to 7.40%), magnesium adsorption ratio (37.34 to 66.50%), kellys ratio (0.0004 to 0.029 meq/L), residual sodium bicarbonate (0.35 to 3.02 meq/L) and sodium adsorption ratio (0 to 0.035) were found to be within the safe limits and thus largely suitable for irrigation purposes. The groundwater will thus neither cause salinity hazards nor have an adverse effect on the soil properties of the study area. Furthermore, the water samples also fall within the recommended limits and are found suitable for domestic purposes.