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Geochemical processes influencing stream water chemistry: a case study of Ala River, Akure, Southwestern Nigeria

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Abstract

Ala River is the main river that drains Akure metropolis in southwestern Nigeria. The river takes its sources from deep-seated fractures in granite and charnockite rock bodies at the North and North-western regions of Akure town, flowing through quartzite and granite gneiss exposures. This study was carried out to assess the geochemical processes influencing the quality of Ala river water. The dendritic river system, covering an area of about 427 km2, was studied and water was sampled at thirty-seven (37) points for in-situ determination of some physicochemical parameters and dissolved concentrations of the major ions. pH values obtained varied between 7.16 and 7.75, electrical conductivity ranged from 123 to 520 µs/cm, total dissolved solids varied between 62 and 260 mg/l-CaCO3 while average temperature value was 26.65 °C. Relative concentration of cations and anions were in the order of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > K+ and HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > NO3−. Mean values of dissolved Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Cl−, HCO3−, SO42−, NO3−, and PO42− were 34.028, 8.872, 34.175, 18.289, 0.428, 16.543, 56.41, 12.503, 0.495 and 2.029 mg/l, respectively. Two hydochemical facies namely Calcium-Bicarbonate facies and mixed calcium–magnesium–chloride facies dominated the chemistry of the water. CaHCO3 facies revealed the contribution of geogenic processes while the mixed Ca(Mg)-Cl type reflected domestically induced anthropogenic activities influencing chemistry of the water. Gibbs diagrams identified rock–water interaction as an important geochemical process in the study area. Silicate weathering of rocks and carbonate weathering were identified as the important geochemical processes which influence the water chemistry of the study area.

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  1. Applied Geology Department, The Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Olaoluwa Emmanuel Oluwaniyi & Yinusa Ayodele Asiwaju-Bello

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  1. Olaoluwa Emmanuel Oluwaniyi
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  2. Yinusa Ayodele Asiwaju-Bello
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Correspondence to Olaoluwa Emmanuel Oluwaniyi.

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Oluwaniyi, O.E., Asiwaju-Bello, Y.A. Geochemical processes influencing stream water chemistry: a case study of Ala River, Akure, Southwestern Nigeria. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 6, 108 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-020-00460-1

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