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Appraisal of groundwater to risk contamination near an abandoned limestone quarry pit in Nkalagu, Nigeria, using enrichment factor and statistical approaches

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Abstract

Statistical index analysis using, contamination factor, metal pollution index, enrichment factor, and ecological risk were successfully applied for the assessment of the impact of heavy metal contamination in groundwater resources within the study area. Fifteen (15) groundwater samples were obtained methodically around the abandoned quarry pit of the Nkalagu area. The samples were analyzed using the America Public Health Association standard (APHA) method. Results indicated that four components were generated from the principal component analysis; strong correlations were observed in the majority of the parameters. The Pearson’s correlation matrix calculated shows weak correlations. Deduction from the Pollution Index of groundwater showed that values were < 1, and were categorized into the following low, moderate, and very high pollution zones. Ecological Risk Assessment results revealed that the ecological risks associated with Cd, Fe, As, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, and Pb are generally low. The Contamination Factor of this study reveals that the entire parameters had a low concentration of < 1 in the entire study area except for HCO3 which had a concentration above 1(moderate contamination), and Fe (moderate contamination to considerable contamination). Pollution Load Index values imply that no pollution exists. Metal Pollution Index results in the entire groundwater sample in the study area are below 0.3, which signifies that they are in Class I and are said to be very pure. Hazard quotient order is Cd > Ni > Co > Cu > Mn > Zn > Fe. Hydrogeochemical characterization shows that HCO3¯ + CO3 and Na + K are the dominant ionic species; also, 80% of the groundwater resources in the study area are within the geochemical zone of 3, while 20% fall within the geochemical zone of 4 with a hydrogeochemical trend of HCO3¯ + CO3 > SO4 > Cl+ > Na+ + K+ > Mg+ > Ca+. Based on these results, pre-use treatment before use of the water resources is highly recommended.

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  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

    M. O. Eyankware

  2. Geomoses Consultancy Limited Warri, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

    M. O. Eyankware

  3. Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

    O. C. Akakuru

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Eyankware, M.O., Akakuru, O.C. Appraisal of groundwater to risk contamination near an abandoned limestone quarry pit in Nkalagu, Nigeria, using enrichment factor and statistical approaches. Int J Energ Water Res 7, 603–621 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-022-00186-0

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