Geochemical and Geostatistical Analyses of the Groundwater Quality Patterns in Dutsin-Ma Town, Katsina State

Abstract

This study is to analyse the geochemical properties and to depict the spatial patterns of groundwater quality for drinking in Dutsin-Ma town. A total of thirty-four (34) samples from boreholes and hand dug wells was obtained using the stratified sampling techniques. A total of twelve (12) parameters were analysed based on standard laboratory procedures. Results of the geochemical analysis were subjected to geostatistical analysis to establish the groundwater quality variations. The Kriging interpolation technique using Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to map and classify drinking water quality parameters into four (4) suitability visual representation based on WHO standard limits. The mean values of several WQPs including Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe, Cl, SO4, PO4, TH, TDS were present in concentrations higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. Mean values of measured parameters showed the means of 25.50 ± 32.84 µS/cm, 7.4 ± 0.51, 1.58 ± 0.85 mg/L, 2452.65 ± 1634.26 mg/L, 271.74 ± 606.30 mg/L, 33.06 ± 32.19 mg/L, 304.79 ± 597.66 mg/L, 722.56 ± 1537.76 mg/L, 0.46 ± 0.27 mg/L, 0.23 ± 0.33 mg/L, 0.03 ± 0.02 mg/L, 0.60 ± 0.66 mg/L for EC, pH, Turbidity, TDS, Sulphate, Phosphate, TH, Chloride, Lead, Manganese, Cadmium and Iron respectively. The student sample t-test showed no significant difference between the mean of the measured parameters and the WHO standard for Turbidity, Pb, Cd, EC, PO4, pH, TDS, Mn, and Fe. These visualizations are intended to assist government agencies in making informed decisions in the implementation of necessary actions and policies.