Investigation of Groundwater Pollution in Pompomari Area of Damaturu Using Geophysical and Hydrochemical Methods

Abstract

Pompomari is a district in Damaturu metropolis in Yobe State, northeast Nigeria, and it has been identified by some researchers to have groundwater pollution problem. In view of this problem, this study investigated the groundwater pollution in the area using geophysical and hydro-chemical methods. The findings of this study showed that the area is composed of five geo-electrical layers such as topsoil, clay, sandy clay, sand and clay. The fourth layer constitute the aquifer in the study area. The Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) survey delineated the contaminant plumes in the study area as low resistivity materials in the subsurface. The contaminated zones were identified with resistivity values ranging from 2 -20 Ωm. The results of the hydrochemical analysis of the groundwater samples in the study area confirm that the groundwater is polluted and it validated the ERT survey results. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that a high capacity drainage system should be constructed in Pompomari area of Damaturu to protect the area from flooding and groundwater pollution. Shallow boreholes in the study area should be closed and new borehole should be drilled to a depth of 100 m and above for quality groundwater abstraction from the fourth geologic layer which is a confined aquifer. The pollution index values for Cadmium, Lead, Iron, Arsenic, and Chromium showed that the groundwater in the study area is polluted.

Investigation of Groundwater Potential in New Jerusalem area of Damaturu, Yobe State Nigeria, using electrical resistivity method.

“…Due to the prevailing water related diseases such as cancer, renal failure and cholera in the study area, boreholes for quality water supply in the study area should be drilled to the second aquifer which is confined and protected from contamination. The drilling of the groundwater boreholes to the second aquifer will help to reduce or possibly eliminate health complications associated with the consumption of polluted water in Damaturu as reported by Agada and Yakubu (2022).…”

“…The demand for quality drinking water is increasing and its availability is strongly affected by climate change. Research reports have shown that groundwater table and rechargeability are declining due to climate variability (Chartzoulakis et al, 2001;Tsagarakis et al, 2001;Agada and Yakubu, 2022). In a semi-arid region area such as Damaturu where precipitation remains the main groundwater recharge, the fluctuation in the amount of annual precipitation in the area has affected both the groundwater water-table, quantity and quality (Agada and Yakubu, 2022).…”

“…Research reports have shown that groundwater table and rechargeability are declining due to climate variability (Chartzoulakis et al, 2001;Tsagarakis et al, 2001;Agada and Yakubu, 2022). In a semi-arid region area such as Damaturu where precipitation remains the main groundwater recharge, the fluctuation in the amount of annual precipitation in the area has affected both the groundwater water-table, quantity and quality (Agada and Yakubu, 2022). Extreme weather events such as droughts and heat wave which are prevalent in semi-arid regions are known to influence the lowering of water table.…”

“…Extreme weather events such as droughts and heat wave which are prevalent in semi-arid regions are known to influence the lowering of water table. As a result of climate change, water availability is limited by climate variability (Agada and Yakubu, 2022). Due to climatic variability, the demand for irrigation water has become very high in semi-arid regions and the need to use groundwater for irrigation purposes has also become exceedingly necessary.…”

“…Muhammed et al (2008) delineated the aquiferous units in the central part of Minna by using electrical resistivity method, they were able to determine the depth to the groundwater and the thickness of the aquifer in their study area. Their results showed that the area was composed of four geological formations and the aquiferous unit have resistivity value of 120-900 Ωm and an average thickness of 25 m -30 m. Agada and Yakubu, (2022) reported that some groundwater from Pompomari area of Damaturu is contaminated and could be responsible for the prevailing health complications associated with the consumption of contaminated water in the area.…”