Abstract
The hydrogeochemical analysis of surface water resources in Obomkpa and its surrounding areas aimed to characterize their physical, chemical, and microbial properties. This study provides crucial information on the quality and suitability of the water for various uses, focusing on acidity, mineral content, and suitability for irrigation and domestic purposes. Six water samples were collected from rivers in the study area and analyzed using standard methods. The parameters assessed included pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, salinity, and concentrations of various ions, heavy metals, and microbial properties. The chemical analysis revealed that the water resources are generally acidic, with an average pH of 5.89. They are fresh (TDS mean of 28.62 mg/l) and soft (total hardness mean of 16.83 mg/l), but the acidity renders them unsuitable for industrial purposes. Other parameters such as EC (mean 46.82 µs/cm), DO (mean 4.98 mg/l), BOD (mean 1.21 mg/l), TSS (mean 5.17 mg/l), turbidity (mean 4.1 NTU), and salinity (mean 14.88 mg/l) were within acceptable ranges for various uses. Anion analysis (sulphate, nitrate, bicarbonate, chloride) and cation analysis (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) showed varying concentrations, with sulphate (mean 5.11 mg/l), bicarbonate (mean 27.74 mg/l), and chloride (mean 8.27 mg/l) being notable. Heavy metal analysis revealed concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc (means of 0.016 mg/l, 0.011 mg/l, and 0.204 mg/l respectively), with zinc exceeding acceptable limits. Correlation analysis showed relationships among physiochemical parameters, with correlation coefficients ranging from − 0.24 to 0.99. Similar correlations among heavy metals, cations, and anions were observed (correlation coefficient (r²) range of -0.21 to 0.70 and 0.12 to 0.98 respectively). The study concludes that while surface water resources in Obomkpa are generally suitable for domestic and irrigation purposes, they require treatment to reduce acidity and control zinc levels. The water chemistry analysis identified the dominant water types as Ca-Mg-(Na)-Cl and Ca-Mg-(Na)-SO4, indicative of hard water with high calcium and magnesium content. This study contributes novel insights into the hydrogeochemical characteristics of Obomkpa's water resources, emphasizing the need for targeted remediation to enhance water quality for various applications.