A multi-criteria approach to drinking and irrigation water assessment of spring water in Igbo-Etiti, Nigeria

Autor: Valentine Chinakwugwo Ezea, Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha, Hillary Onyeka Abugu, Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Applied Water Science, Vol 12, Iss 9, Pp 1-20 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2190-5487
2190-5495
DOI: 10.1007/s13201-022-01747-8
Popis: Abstract The study aimed at assessing the spring water within Igbo-Etiti, Nigeria, for drinking and irrigation applications using physicochemical parameters, water quality index, mineral and trace elements, pollution indices, and risk assessment. Standard methods were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the spring water in rainy and dry seasons. Trace metals such as Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that most of the physicochemical properties studied were within the guideline values set by Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), WHO and US EPA for drinking water purposes. However, pH of all the spring water (4.27–4.73; and 4.95–5.73) for dry and rainy seasons, respectively, were slightly acidic. Lead (Pb) (0.01–1.08 mg/L) and cadmium (Cd) (0.01–0.15 mg/L) concentrations were above the guideline values in both seasons. This could be attributed to the lithology of the study area which is Nsukka FORMATION. Leaching of lead and sulphides from the embedded coal deposits could be responsible for the increased lead levels and made the water acidic. The mineral and trace elements examined were within WHO and NSDWQ limits for drinking water except Cd and Pb. The permeability index and other irrigation indices showed that all the spring water was suitable for irrigation purposes. The pollution index suggested that the pollution level of all the samples in the dry season was insignificant (PIS
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