Investigating the Quality Status of Groundwater in parts of Eastern Niger Delta for Irrigation Purposes

Abstract

Groundwater quality evaluation in Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria for irrigation purposes was the sole aim of this research. The groundwater in the area was analyzed for pH (4.80-7.80, Ave. 5.65), conductivity (20.05-820.10, Ave. 260.04), total dissolved solids (10.20-568.50, Ave 245.20) as well as major cations and anions. The concentrations of some of the major ions were recalculated to determine the respective irrigation quality index. The value of SAR ranged from 0.1 - 8.45 meq/L with a mean value of 1.52 meq/L while the concentration of SSP varied from 4.64 - 28.08 meq/L with an average value of 12.38 meq/L. The concentration of PI ranged from 9.22- 43.75 meq/L with a mean value of 34.49 meq/L while the value of RSBC varied from 1.05 - 2.25 meq/L with an average value of 1.31 meq/L. The value of MAR ranged from 34.34 - 62.61 meq/L with an average value of 38.54 meq/L while the concentration of KR varied from 0.04 - 0.36 meq/L with a mean value of 0.12 meq/L The results of the analyses and interpretation of water quality for irrigation (SAR, SSP, MAR, RSBC, PI, KR, pH, TDS and EC), indicates that the groundwater in the area is suitability for irrigation purposes is in the order The observed low pH may be attributed to the various anthropogenic activities domiciled in the region. The plottings on the salinity diagram falls within the low salinity zone, which implies low sodic water and good for irrigation purposes. Based on the findings, the groundwater in Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria is suitable for irrigation purposes.