Hydrogeological Implications of Environmental Devastation in Orlu and Its Evirons South Eastern, Nigeria

Abstract

The hydro geotechnical properties of the soil at erosion prone areas and Hydrochemical properties of groundwater in Orlu and environs, Imo State, Nigeria, were determined with a view to ascertaining the effect of gullies on the water quality. Analysis of the results show that ion concentrations are below WHO standard except for heavy metals concentration of lead, mercury and cadmium in groundwater and copper, cadmium, lead and mercury in surface water. . Dominant water character in the study area using Piper Trilinear diagram and Schoeller semi logarithm diagram was analyzed to be calcium-sulphate waters for groundwater and sodium-chloride-bicarbonate waters for surface water. The heavy metal concentration in the surface water may be attributed to leachates from fertilizer application during farm activities in the study area, while the concentration in the groundwater may be attributed to the disposal of waste into the gullies. It is recommended that Afforestation should be practiced to provide vegetative cover that will reduce the impact of raindrop energy and that drinking water in the study area is treated.

Keywords: Gully, Hydrogeochemical, Hydrological And Geotechnical.