Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of GroundwaterAround Deba and Environs, Gombe Northeast

Abstract

This study was conducted around Deba and environs with the primary goal of characterizing the
groundwater sources in area for different uses. A total of 15 groundwater samples were collected
from different sources and analyzed for major cations and anions. using the prescribed analytical
methods. The results show a general trend of Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ > Na+ for cations and HCO3- >
SO4 2- >NO3- > Cl- > CO3 2- for anions. The salt content of the groundwater samples was evaluated
from the total dissolved solids (TDS) which has a minimum value of 115mg/l and a maximum
value of 144mg/l with a mean value of 129.5mg/l which falls within the excellent class of the
UNESCO/FAO criteria. The pH value of the samples has a minimum value of 5.67 and a
maximum 0f 6.47 with a mean of 6.07 which is within the permissible value of the WHO. The
average values of the major cations are Ca2+- 23.44 to 29.17mg/l with a mean value of 26.30mg/l,
Mg2+- 3.98 to 5.33mg/l with a mean value of 4.65mg/l, K+- 5.53 to 6.72mg/l with a mean value
of 6.12mg/l, Na+- 0.38 to 1.26mg/l with a mean value of 0.81mg/l and anions are CO3 2-- 0 to
0.42mg/l with a mean value of 2.1mg/l, HCO3-- 182 to 218mg/l with a mean value of 200mg/l,
SO4-- 20.12 to 27.55mg/l 23.83mg/l, Cl-- 7.49 to 17.56mg/l with a mean value of 12.52mg/l
which are within the WHO permissible standards for drinking water.Also, a Piper/Trilinear plot of
the hydro-chemical facies indicates that calcium is the dominant cation while bicarbonate is the
dominant anion thus giving a Calcium- bicarbonate water type. These results show that
groundwater from the study area is suitable for both drinking and irrigation purposes and hence is
recommended for drinking water supply to meet the needs of the populace