Trace element hydrochemical assessment of the Calabar Coastal Plain Aquifer,southeastern Nigeria using statistical methods |
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| Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">A?E?EdetEmail author B?J?Merkel O?E?Offiong |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, University of Calabar, P.O. 3609 Calabar, Nigeria;(2) Institute for Geology, TU Bergakademie, 09599 Freiberg, Germany;(3) Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria;(4) Present Address: Institute for Geology, TU Bergakademie, 09599 Freiberg, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Groundwater samples from 33 locations within the Coastal Plain Sands aquifer of Calabar (Nigeria) were collected and analysed for 43 trace elements by means of ICP-MS. The aim of this study is to determine the natural background levels of trace elements as a guide for future pollution monitoring of the aquifer. Secondly, this article focuses on the pollution vulnerability of the coastal plain sand aquifer. Statistical methods have been used to determine the source(s) of these elements. Results show that the area is characterised by four types of groundwater, including: Na-HCO3, Na-HCO3-Cl, Na-Cl and Ca-Na-HCO3-Cl. Secondly, all the elements considered are below normal averages. In addition, the Spearman correlation shows significant correlation especially among the lanthanide group of elements (p<0.0001). Factors analyses indicate mainly two groups of elements. The first group being due to the natural geochemical process (weathering/leaching of the basement lithology; characteristics of the elements) and the second is due to tidal flushing of the estuary. This indicates that the source of the trace element in the aquifer is due to a geogenic process and not anthropogenic. Thus, the present data set will serve as a reference source for pollution monitoring in the area. |
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