Quality reassessment using water quality indices and hydrochemistry of groundwater from the Basement Complex section of Kaduna Basin, NW Nigeria

Abstract

Water quality indices allow for defining the acceptable limits for water usage. This paper evaluates the suitability of water for industrial and domestic uses. Hydrogeochemical data were derived from previous studies and exposed to an internal consistency test. Groundwater was classified using physicochemical parameters and water quality indices. Multivariate analysis (factor and clustering analyses) was applied to identify the sources of ions and classify groundwater. Similarly, regression analysis was used to model the hydrochemistry of the study area. Results indicated groundwater of varying quality based on hardness, TDS, EC, chloride, and nitrate. Groundwater classification based on the Chadha diagram revealed a Na–HCO3 water type in the Kudenda–Nassarawa area. Kaduna South and Kakuri and its Environs have a Ca–Mg–Cl water type. Calcium, Mg, Na, and TDS constituted the major elements influencing the hydrochemistry of groundwater based on regression analysis. Factor analysis showed that aquifers are strongly influenced by rock weathering. Also, cluster analysis revealed different types of water sources based on their hydrogeochemical characteristics. The results of multivariate analysis concurred with Gibb’s model. However, groundwater is unsuitable for industrial use since it is undersaturated with calcium carbonate. Thus, water treatment is required to avoid serious corrosion.