Water quality analysis of groundwater in crystalline basement rocks,Northern Ghana |
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Authors: | Yvonne S Anku Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo Daniel K Asiedu Sandow M Yidana |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 58, Legon, Accra, Ghana;(2) Department of Natural Resources, Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake, UT 84116, USA |
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Abstract: | Hydrochemical data are presented for groundwater samples, collected from fractured aquifers in parts of northern Ghana. The
data was collected to assess the groundwater suitability for domestic and agricultural use. Results of the study reveal that
the pH of the groundwater in the area is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The electrical conductivity values, total dissolved
solids (TDS) values and calcium, magnesium and sodium concentrations in the groundwater are generally below the limit set
by the WHO for potable water supply. On the basis of activity diagrams, groundwater from the fractured aquifers appears to
be stable within the montmorillonite field, suggesting weathering of silicate minerals. An inverse distance weighting interpolator
with a power of 2 was applied to the data points to produce prediction maps for nitrate and fluoride. The distribution maps
show the presence of high nitrate concentrations (50–194 mg/l) in some of the boreholes in the western part of the study area
indicating anthropogenic impact on the groundwater. Elevated fluoride level (1.5–4 mg/l), higher than the WHO allowable fluoride
concentration of 1.5, is recorded in the groundwater underlying the northeastern part of the study area, more specifically
Bongo and its surrounding communities of the Upper East region. Results of this study suggest that groundwater from the fractured
aquifers in the area exhibit low sodicity–low salinity (S1–C1), low sodicity–medium salinity (S1–C2) characteristics United
States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) classification scheme]. All data points from this study plot within the ‘Excellent to good’
category on a Wilcox diagram. Groundwater in this area thus appears to provide irrigation water of excellent quality. The
hydrochemical results indicate that, although nitrate and fluoride concentrations in some boreholes are high, the groundwater
in the study area, based on the parameters analyzed, is chemically potable and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. |
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Keywords: | Ghana Water quality Crystalline rocks Sodium adsorption ratio Groundwater |
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