Hydrogeochemistry of Lekki, Ajah and Ikorodu Water Resources,southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Water resources are essential drinking water resource in developing cities, especially where no public water supply exists because of an insufficient infrastructure. Hydrogeochemistry of Lagos state was carried out to evaluate the ionic composition of the water. Coordinates was taken during sampling of water samples from Lekki, Ajah and Ikorodu areas. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used for the geochemical analysis. The results revealed that (Ajah 1-5) to be: mixed, magnesium bicarbonate, between calcium and sodium, sodium chloride and mixed type water respectively. Lekki axis from (1-5): mixed-calcium sulphate and sodium chloride, Sodium chloride, mixed-between Sodium chloride and magnesium bicarbonate, mixed-sodium chloride and calcium sulphate and mixed type waters respectively. The dominance of cations like Na, Ca, Mg and anion SO4-as well as lower K indicates the significance of silicate weathering and agricultural sources, resistance of potassium minerals to weathering in the study area. The source for HCO3-might have been attributed from sources like atmospheric CO 2+ and soil organic materials while Cland NO3-suggested anthropogenic activities like agricultural influences. Lekki and Ikorodu surface water bodies falls within the mixed (saline and calcium sulphate)-permanently hard while Ajah falls into temporary hard water.