Physico- Chemical Characteristics of Water Quality in Kano River Drainage Basin, North - Western Nigeria

Abstract

The study involves physico chemical investigation of the water quality of Kano Rivers and its adjoining groundwater from its headstream up to its downstream in order to ascertain it suitability for human consumption, domestic and agricultural usage. Results show that the water is slightly alkaline, EC ranges from 7-159 Us/cm and average of 29.5 US/cm, pH ranges from6.6-8.7 and average of 7.18, and TDS ranges from 7-128 and mean average of 24.79, Ca ranges from 3.22-128.81ppm and an average of 25.56ppm, Mg ranges from 0.06-175.17 ppm and average of 10.62, (exceeds limits), Na ranges from 3.65-970..48 and an average of 54.17, K ranges from 2.72-52.52 ppm and average of 9.98ppm for the anions contents results shows that HCO₃ ranges from 2746-4863.3 and average of 277.9 ppm, SO₄ ranges from 2.15-147.1ppm and an average of 11.27ppm,Cl ranges from 0.08-116.19ppm with average of 15.25ppm, NO3 ranges from 0.94-47.49ppm with average of8.09ppm then PO₄ ranges from1.26-1.26ppm with average of 1.26ppm. All the analysed parameters shows that the water is heavily polluted in comparison with NIS (2007), EPA (2004) and WHO (2011) guidelines and ones determined by Schoeneich (2010) for the Crystalline Shield of northern Nigeria. pH is slightly higher of average 7.18 and can be related to TDS contents. Three chemical water types were determined based on their locations, upstream Kano is CaHCO₃ type, for the midstream is NaHCO₃ as well as downstream is also NaHCO₃ types with only one showing MgHCO₃ in Surface water of Hadiyau village.

Keywords: Major ions, pollution, Water types, Crystalline Shield