Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Hydrogeochemistry and Groundwater Quality Assessment of Oji- River, Southeastern Nigeria Using Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Irrigation Parameters

Enebuwa, S.O., Amadi, C.C., Okeke, O.C., Onuegbu, K.U., Nwofeigbo, W.N., Emeh, MM, Adeyi, G.O.

Abstract

The hydro geochemistry and groundwater quality assessments of Oji-River Local Government Area was carried out to check the groundwater suitability for domestic and irrigation uses using pollution index(PI), Contamination factor, and irrigation suitability such as sodium absorption ratio (SAR), Kelly’s Ratio, Percentage Sodium, Magnesium Hazard Two water samples (Test and Control) from boreholes proximal and distal from coal fly ash dump site were collected and investigated for this study. The physical parameters such as pH, EC, DO were measured in-situ using digital meters. While the chemical parameters were investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The Test and Control samples physicochemical parameters were largely below the WHO standard guideline for drinking water except total chloride in test sample with a value of 999.69 mg/l against 250 mg/l of WHO 2017 standard. Analysis from the geochemical water faces plots showed that the water is of Na+K-Cl water type and possibly of marine origin or deep ancient water. The pollution index of the test sample with mean value of 1.67 indicates high pollution, while that of the Control sample 0.432 is not polluted comparing with the PI critical value of 1. From Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) analysis, the groundwater is excellent for irrigation activities. The Test and control samples have pH values of 3.14 and 3.40 respectively which is lower than the WHO Guideline Value, 2011 of 6.5 - 8.5, which indicates high acidity, the high acidity of the groundwater may favor the extraction of metal ions from fly ash into groundwater in the study area The concentrations of chemical ions for the test sample (calcium 7.57 mg/L, magnesium 2.97 mg/L, sodium 2.58 mg/L, potassium 50.00 mg/L, bicarbonate 32.00 mg/L, chloride 999.69 mg/L, sulphate 5.00 mg/L, fluoride 0.26 mg/L, iron 0.02 mg/L, zinc 0.208 mg/L, copper 0.189 mg/L, manganese 1.62 mg/L, lead 0.013 mg/L, arsenic 0.401 mg/L,

Keywords

Hydro geochemistryGroundwaterCoal Fly ashPollution IndexIrrigation.

References

Abugu, H. O., Egwuonwu, P. F., & Ihedioha, J. N. (2021). Hydrochemical evaluation of river Ajali water for irrigational application in agricultural farmland. Applied Water Science, 11(118). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01395-4 Adeyi, A. A., & Majolagbe, A. O. (2014). Assessment of groundwater quality around two major active dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research: Environment & Earth Science, 14(2), 1–12. Akakuru, O. C., Eze, C. U., Okeke, O. C., & Opara, A. I. (2022). Hydrogeochemical evolution, water quality indices, irrigation suitability and pollution index of groundwater (PIG) around Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, 6, 255–270. Akande, S.O., Ogunmoyero, I.B., Petersen, H.I. and Nytoft, H.P. (2007). Source rock evaluation of coals from the Lower Maastrichtian Mamu Formation, SE Nigeria. Journal of Petroleum Geology, 30(4), 303-324. Alicia, B. (2011). Coal ash waste tied to cancer-causing chemicals in water supplies. Examiner.com, February, 1, 2011. Amadi, A. N. (2013). Environmental hydrogeochemistry of the Benin Formation of the Port Harcourt, Aba and Owerri axis in the Niger Delta, Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, Federal University of Technology, Minna). Federal University of Technology Repository. http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/478 Amadi, C. C., Okeke, C. O., Onyekuru, S. O., Okereke, C. N., & Akakuru, O. C. (2025). Assessing groundwater pollution using advanced statistical techniques and pollution indices near a coal fly ash dump in parts of Oji-river, Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-23. Ayers, R. S., & Westcot, D. W. (1985). Water quality for agriculture (FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev. 1). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Ayogu, C. N., Maduka, R. I., Ayogu, N. O., & Njoku, C. N. (2020). Hydro-geochemical analysis and quality evaluation of surface water in the Mamu River basin, southeastern Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 10, 144. Baba, A. (2001). Investigation of geochemical and leaching characteristics of solid wastes from Yenikoy (Mugla-Turkey) Power Plant. Turk. J. Environ. Eng. Sci. 25: 321-328. Baba, A., Gurdal, G., Sengunalp, F., & Ozay, O. (2008). Effects of leachant temperature and pH on leachability of metals from fly ash. A case study: Can thermal power plant, province of Canakkale, Turkey. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 139, 287–298. Benjamin, K.A. (2010). Evaluation of the Microbiological and physicochemical Quality of Borehole Water in the Offinso District of Ashanti Region (Msc) Dept of Theoretical and Applied Biology and Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of science and Technology, Kumasi Ghana. Brown, R. M., McClelland, N. I., Deininger, R. A., & Tozer, R. G. (1972). A water quality index—do we dare? Water & Sewage Works, 117(10), 339–343 Chandrashekhar, A. K., Chandrasekharam, D. and Farooq, S. H. (2016). Contamination and mobilization of arsenic in the soil and groundwater and its influence on the irrigated crops, Manipur Valley, India. “Environmental Earth Sciences. 75 (2), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5008-0 IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management Vol. 11 No. 12 2025 E-ISSN 2504-8821 P-ISSN 2695-1878 www.iiardjournals.org online version IIARD – International Institute of Academic Research and Development Page 53 Dikeogu, T. C., Okeke, O. C., Ogbekwulu, L. O., and Ogbene, P.C. (2018). Major Ion Chemistry and Hydrochemical Processes of Ngeneagu Spring Water at Akpugoeze, Oji River, Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria. Int. J. of Adv. Aca. Res., Tech. & Eng., P. 44. Edet, A., & Okereke, C. (2014). Hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in parts of the Benue Trough, southeastern Nigeria: Implications for water quality assessment. Environmental Earth Sciences, 71(9), 4255–4270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2820-1 Egbueri, J. C. (2019). Evaluation and characterization of the groundwater quality and hydrogeochemistry of Ogbaru farming district in southeastern Nigeria. SN Applied Sciences, 1(8), 1001. Enenchi, M. I., Patrice, O., Ogbuagu, J. O., Ubaoji, K. I. (2019). Evaluation of Heavy Metals Contamination of Soil Around the Abandoned Coal Ash Dumpsite in Oji, Enugu State, Nigeria, FUW trend in science and technology journal. Eyankwere, M.O., Nnajieze, V.S., and Aleke, C. G. (2018). Geochemical Assessment of Water Quality for Irrigation Purpose, in Abandoned Limestone Quarry pit at Nkalagu area, Southern Benue Trough Nigeria. Environ Earth Sci77:66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665- 018-7232-x. Ezike, E. C., & Chukwunonyerem, S. C. (2022). Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality assessment in Ozalla, Nigeria. Irish Journal of Environment and Energy Studies, 6(1), 45–57. https://aspjournals.net/Journals/index.php/ijees/article/view/82 Falowo, O. O., & Akinboboye, V. (2020). Hydrogeochemical characterization and groundwater quality appraisal in Okitipupa and environs, Nigeria. Earth Sciences Malaysia, 1(2), 38– Fulekar, M. H., & Dave, J. M. (1991). Release and behaviour of Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb in a fly? ash/soil/water environment: Column experiment. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 38, 281–296. Garba, M. A., & Zubairu, C. S. (2025). Hydrochemical characterization and spatial variability of groundwater quality in Kano Region, Nigeria: Insights into natural geology and anthropogenic impacts. Preprints, 2025, 1–25. https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/a25bc4a442f81166fb6a54b00f70aa89/do wnload_pub Ghislain, T. Y. J., Feumba, R., Wethe, J., Ekodeck, G. E./ & De Marsily, G. (2012). Evaluation of Groundwater Suitability for Domestic and Irigation Purposes: A Case Study from Mingoa River Basin, Yaounde, Cameroon. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 4, 285-293. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2012.45031. Horton, R. K., (1965). An Index Number System for Rating Water Quality, Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 300-306 Ihenetu, S. C., Ochule, B. I., & Enyoh, E. C. (2020). Pollution and health risks assessment of groundwater sources around a waste disposal site in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 11(9), 1470–1483. Ladipo, K. O., Nwajide, C. S. and Akande, S. O. (1992), Cretaceous and Paleogene sequences in the Abakaliki and Anambra basins, Southeastern Nigeria, National Symposium on Geology of deltas. Majolagbe, A. O., Kasali, A. A., & Ghaniyu, L. O. (2011). Quality assessment of groundwater in the vicinity of dumpsites in Ifo and Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. Advances in Applied Science Research, 2(6), 289–298. IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management Vol. 11 No. 12 2025 E-ISSN 2504-8821 P-ISSN 2695-1878 www.iiardjournals.org online version IIARD – International Institute of Academic Research and Development Page 54 Mgbenu, C. N., & Egbueri, J. C. (2019). The hydrogeochemical signatures, quality indices and health risk assessment of water resources in Umunya district, southeast Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 9(4), 89. Mpamugo, C. (1999). Agulu and Nike Lakes: Water chemistry and pollution status. (Msc), Dept. of Pure and Ind. Chem., University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nganje, T. N., Edet, A. E., & Ekwere, A. S. (2017). Hydrogeochemistry of shallow groundwater in sedimentary formations of southeastern Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 7(7), 3999– https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-017-0538-4 Nigerian Industrial Standard-NIS (2007). Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality. NIS Nigerian Industrial Standard NIS 554:2007. Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality ICS 13, 060.20 © SON 2007. Od

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT