GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN PARTS OF NORTHERN BIDA BASIN, KWARA STATE NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA

08 Dec, 2025,

Abstract > Volume 10, Number 1 (2024) > 1Michaels P.S, 2Olaonipekun O.J, 1Kunle-John I., 1Ugwu S.J., 1Zingchang A.H, 1Ugbe R.U.download full paper

ABSTRACT

Groundwater assessment of parts of Northern Bida Basin is aimed at understanding the groundwater potential of the study area and assessing its suitability for irrigation and domestic usage. The physical and chemical properties of the water and also the chemical and biological oxygen demand were all carried out. Using a heavy, insoluble, non-corrosive object of known length attached to the zero end of a measuring tape, the overburden thickness of >20m was determined and suggest a low to moderate groundwater potential of the weathered and fractured aquifer. The average abundance of the anion and cation in the water sample are in the following order; HCO3 -> Cl -> SO42- and Ca2+ >Na+ >K+ > Mg2+ respectively. The Schoeller diagram reveal the cation order in Bokungi, Share, Zambufu, Tsaragi and Gada is of the order Na++K+> Ca2+>Mg2+, Ca2+> Na++K+> Mg2+, Ca2+> Na++K+> Mg2+, Ca2+> Na++K+> Mg2+, Ca2+> Na++K+> Mg2+ respectively. According to the water quality index, the bulk of the water sample showed that the water is threatened by anthropogenic activities thus not suitable for drinking. The evaluation of water for irrigation suitability using the sodium absorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, percentage sodium, Kelly's ratio, magnesium ratio, permeability index and residual sodium carbonate it seen that most of the water in the study area is suitable for irrigation purpose.

KEYWORDS:  Groundwater quality, Northern Bida Basin, Bivariate analysis, Ion exchange process, Hydrogeochemical types

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