Geospatial Mapping of Pollution in the Benue River, Water Quality Indices, and Multivariate Statistics
Abstract
This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics, heavy-metal concentrations and spatial variation of water quality in the River Benue at Makurdi, Nigeria. Twenty-five surface-water samples were collected from selected locations and analyzed for pH, temperature, color, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead and nickel. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, the weighted-arithmetic Water Quality Index and geospatial mapping were applied. The pH values ranged from 6.80 to 7.70, while total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity remained within the adopted limits. In contrast, color, turbidity and total suspended solids exceeded their respective standards at all sampling locations. Cadmium exceeded the adopted limit at 22 locations, copper at all 25 locations, and zinc at six locations. Lead and nickel produced negative readings and were therefore reported as below the reliable analytical detection range and excluded from the multivariate analyses. The first three principal components explained 95.64% of the total variance, with the first component accounting for 70.79% and showing strong associations with electrical conductivity, color, total suspended solids, turbidity, total dissolved solids, zinc and copper. Correlation and cluster analyses confirmed close relationships among suspended-material indicators and selected dissolved constituents and metals. The Water Quality Index ranged from 903.85 to 1,999.32, with a mean of 1,452.44, classifying all locations as unsuitable for drinking without treatment. Continuous monitoring, improved waste management, pollution control and effective water treatment are recommended. These findings provide evidence for targeted river management and public-health protection measures.
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