MULTIVARIATE STATISTICS FOR ASSESSING GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN SABON GARI MAUTECH, YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Groundwater is the main source of water supply in Sabon Gari MAUTECH, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study aimed to estimate the current status of physicochemical qualities of groundwater in the research area using multivariate technique. Four representative groundwater samples were selected using stratified random technique. The samples were analyzed chemically and bacteriologically using electrometric, titrimetric, gravimetric and photometric methods. Analytical results indicated that the groundwater in the area is slightly acidic. PCA identified three factors that accounts for 100% of the total variance. Correlation analysis, PCA and HCA identified hardness, anthropogenic contamination and rock-water interaction as the major processes responsible for the modification of groundwater chemistry in the research area. The Gibbs diagram plot shows that, the sample point’s fall under rock dominance and weathering zones, which suggested precipitation, induced chemical weathering with the dissolution of rock-forming minerals. The piper trilinear diagram classified groundwater samples as Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type which belong to atmospheric precipitation. The assessment shows that the groundwater in the research area is suitable for human consumption only that the water is slightly acidic. Water Quality Index values range from 41.30 to 47.33 which indicated excellent water category.
Authors : Ankidawa, B. A., Seli, A. B. and Ingawa, S. U.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 4(2) Date Uploaded : 19th April 2019