Hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in Lalan and its environs, Gusau Zamfara State Nigeria

Abstract

The study area (Lalan and its environs) Gusau town forms part of the North-Western Nigerian Basement Complex of Precambrian age. The geology of the area comprises the crystalline basement made of coarse-medium grained granite and lenses of banded gneiss. Five water samples were collected from different locations around Lalan and its environs, Gusau Zamfara, Northwestern Nigeria, to carry out hydro geochemical study to determine the quality of drinking water within the study area. AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer) to determine the heavy metals. Others include Flame emission spectrometry where the sample solution is nebulized and introduced into the flame, where it is rapidly dissolved, vaporized, and atomized. The concentration of the analyzed metals in the study area shows that, Na2+, (1.4 mg/L to 30.8 mg/L, average 12.04 mg/L), Ni (0.0012 mg/L to 0.0094 mg/L, average 0.00496 mg/L), Cl (,0.2mg/L to 18.7mg/L, average 9.864 mg/L)  NO3,- Mg2+ ,Fl-, Pb2+, SO4, Ca2+  are all within WHO (2022) safe limit.  Physical parameters like TDS, pH and Temperature are within the NSDWQ (2020) safe limit. While Electrical Conductivity (EC) have values that are above the WHO (2022) recommended limits. Electrical Conductivity (EC) in water is a measure of the water’s ability to pass an electric current, which is directly related to the concentration of dissolved ions in the water. Conductivity increases as the concentration of dissolved ions such as chlorides, alkalis, and salts increases in the water. Pure water has very low conductivity, while seawater has very high conductivity.