Hydrochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Elele, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Ten water samples were taken from boreholes in parts of Elele, Rivers State, Port-Harcourt to assess the quality status. Samples were properly labeled and were taken to the laboratory within twenty Four hours for inventory investigations. The overall, essence is to appraise the water suitability for aesthetic and domestic use. The analyzed values were compared with the regulating standards such as (WHO, 2006,), (FME 2002). In comparison with the standards the results were within the acceptable limits. The results obtained shows that the water samples quality examined compared favourably with WHO (2006) standard for drinking water. Although the values for p^H (6.4 and 5.10 in borehole 1 and 6 respectively), and Fe²⁺ (0.46, 0.45, 0.32 and 0.52 in boreholes 4, 8, 9 and 10 respectively) slightly exceeded the WHO (2006) permissible limits for safe drinking water. The water at these locations should be treated otherwise it could cause objectionable tastes and could stain plumbing fixtures and laundered clothes. Piper trilinear diagram further characterizes the groundwater in the study area to be dominated by alkali earth (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) for the cations and strong acids (SO₄^2- + Cl^-) for the anions. Trilinear plots of the results show a dominant of one hydrochemical facies type in the area: Mg-SO₄^2- facies.

Keywords: Hydrochemical, Groundwater, Water Suitability, Elele.