Hydrochemical Evaluation of Water Resources of the Ohaozara Areas of Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria.

Abstract

Hydrochemical investigation of Okposi and Uburu Areas of Ohaozara and Environs of Ebonyi State has been carried out. The study area lies within the Imo – Cross River Basin province of southeastern Nigeria. The Asu River Group and the Ezeaku Shale, (Albian and Turonian respectively) underlie the area. Results of hydrochemical analysis revealed that Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Na+ and SO42-, NO3-, HCO3-  are the major geochemical constituents while Al3+, MO2+, Ba2+, Ag+, Mn2+   I- and No2- are the minor constituents. Concentration of Cl- and Mn2+ ranges between 0.62 – 927 mg/l and 0.060 – 40.85mg/l respectively and are above the recommended standard for drinking water in most places. Implications of these high concentrations and the consumption of water of poor quality by the inhabitants of these areas may lead to poor health conditions. The variations in chemical constituents are attributed to non-uniform mineralization and ion exchange. There is variation in dissolved chemical constituents between the salt lake areas and other areas.

Keywords: Hydrochemical, Chemical constituents, Ion exchange, Mineralization.