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Impact of effluent-derived heavy metals on the groundwater quality in Ajao industrial area, Nigeria: an assessment using entropy water quality index (EWQI)

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Abstract

Several numerical models have been utilized in water quality assessments for various purposes. Among all the commonly used models, entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) has been recognized as the most unbiased model for assessing drinking water quality. Therefore, this paper presents a case study of the application of EWQI in assessing the effect of effluent-derived heavy metals on the groundwater quality in Ajao industrial estate, Nigeria. Three environmental pollution risk assessment tools were integrated to better evaluate the level of heavy metals contamination in the groundwater. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) placed 66% of the samples in uncontaminated to moderately contaminated category. However, 19% showed moderate to heavy contamination, whereas 14.29% were heavily contaminated. Similarly, enrichment factor (EF) revealed that 52% of the samples have minimal enrichment, 33% are moderately enriched, while 14.29% were extremely enriched with heavy metals. Vector modulus of pollution index (PIvector) showed that the majority of the samples (80.9%) have low pollution, 4.76% recorded moderate pollution, while 14.29% had considerable to very high pollution. The EWQI showed that the majority (85.71%) of the groundwater samples are excellent drinking water, while 14.29% are unsuitable for drinking. However, a dendrogram integrating the results of the Igeo, EF, PIvector, and EWQI was produced by hierarchical cluster analysis to harmonize and demarcate the groundwater quality in this industrial area. Although this study confirms the suitability of most samples for drinking, more awareness programs towards the protection of the groundwater should be embraced.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank all who assisted in conducting this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    B. U. Ukah & O. E. Ubido

  2. Department of Applied Geology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

    P. D. Ameh

  3. School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    P. D. Ameh

  4. Department of Geology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria

    J. C. Egbueri

  5. Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria

    C. O. Unigwe

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Correspondence to J. C. Egbueri.

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Ukah, B.U., Ameh, P.D., Egbueri, J.C. et al. Impact of effluent-derived heavy metals on the groundwater quality in Ajao industrial area, Nigeria: an assessment using entropy water quality index (EWQI). Int J Energ Water Res 4, 231–244 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-020-00058-5

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