A geoelectrical-hydrogeochemical investigation of shallow groundwater occurrence in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

 An integrated geological, geoelectrical and hydrochemical investigation of shallow groundwater occurrence in the Ibadan area, southwestern Nigeria, is presented. The primary objective was to characterise the groundwater in a typical low-latitude environment underlain by Precambrian crystalline basement complex rocks. The dominant rocks comprise suites of gneisses and quartzites. Chemical analyses of the groundwater show that the mean concentration of the cations is in the order Na>Ca>Mg>K while that for the anions is Cl>HCO₃>NO₃>SO₄. Statistical analyses, using the product-moment coefficient of correlation, indicate positive correlations between the following pairs of parameters: TDS and conductivity (r=0.96); Na⁺+Mg²⁺ and Cl^– (r=0.95); Na⁺+K⁺ and Ca²⁺ (r=0.43); Na⁺+K⁺ and HCO₃ ^– (r=0.17); Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (r=0.74); Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ^– (r=0.33); Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺ and HCO₃ ^– (r=0.31) and pH and HCO₃ ^– (r=0.54). A very weak negative correlation was recorded between pH and Cl^–, with r=–0.003. Five groundwater groups have been identified, namely, (1) the Na-Cl, Na-Ca-Cl, Na-Ca-(Mg)-Cl; (2) the Ca-(Mg)-Na-HCO₃-Cl, Na-Ca-HCO₃-Cl, and Ca-HCO₃-Cl; (3) the Ca-(Mg)-Na-HCO₃, Ca-Na-HCO_3; (4) Ca-Na-Cl-(SO₄)-HCO₃ and (5) the Ca-(Mg)-Na-SO₄-HCO₃. The different groups reflect the diversity of bedrock types and consequently also of the products of weathering. Most of the water sampled is unfit for drinking on account of the high NO₃ ^– content. It can, however, be used for irrigation purposes as the sodium hazard is low while the salinity hazard ranges from low to medium. Resistivity soundings indicate the presence of a thick weathering profile, which could be up to 60 m. Such sites should be the target for any long-term and sustainable groundwater development in the area.