Application of Multivariate Statistic of U, Th and Pb Concentrations and Pb Isotopic Signatures in the Assessment of Geogenic and Anthropogenic Sources in a U-Mineralized Area

This work presents a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) study using Pbisotope signatures and U, Th and Pb concentrations from groundwater, sediments and rocks (granites and orthogneisses) of the Complex of Lagoa Real (Bahia, Brazil). This area is naturally enriched in U and Th, with the occurrence of Pb derived from the radioactive decay of the elements (238U, 235U and 232Th) in the form of their stable isotopes 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb in addition to the natural isotope 204Pb. Sampling was carried out in the rainy season (December to January) and the points were selected according to regional hydrology and geology. Thirty samples were analyzed: 12 of groundwater (AP) and 18 of sediments (S). The results show that the use of isotopic ratios allows discrimination between geogenic and anthropogenic samples. This information is not obtained using only the analysis of concentration data. Statistically, the isotopic data of Pb stand out as an efficient tool in the characterization of sources in the scenario investigated, allowing an effective environmental monitoring and a better management of the mining activities.

Geogenic Imprint on Groundwater and Its Quality in Parts of the Mamfe Basin, Manyu Division, Cameroon

Groundwater studies in parts of the Mamfe basin are sparse and the Mamfe area has the highest population density in the Mamfe basin. An in-depth study of groundwater rock interaction and groundwater quality is of vital importance. This same part of the basin is the economic centre and as such development of businesses in this area requires knowledge of the groundwater quality. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the input of the rock formations on the groundwater solute chemistry and groundwater domestic-agro-industrial quality using hydrogeochemical tools and physicochemical parameters: Ionic ratios, Gibbs diagrams, Piper diagrams, Durov diagrams and water quality indices. From physicochemical parameters, in the rainy season, pH ranged from, 4.3 - 8.6;EC, 3 - 1348 μS/cm;Temperature, 24.4℃ - 30.1℃? andTDS, 2.01 - 903.16 mg/L and in the dry season, pH ranged from 5.5 - 9.3;EC, 6 - 994 μS/cm;Temperature, 25℃?- 38.6℃?andTDS, 4.02 - 632.48 mg/L. Forty groundwater samples: 20 per season, wet and dry were analysed. The major ions fell below WHO acceptable limits for both seasons. The sequences of abundance of major ions were: Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ > ?> Na+, Cl- > ?> ?> ?> NO3 in wet season and Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Na+, ?> Cl- > ?> ?> ?in dry season. Ion-exchange, simple dissolution and uncommon dissolution processes determined groundwater character. Groundwater ionic content was as a result of ion exchange from rock-weathering. Water types are: CaSO4 and MgHCO3 in both seasons. Hydrogeochemical facies are Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 and Ca-Mg-HCO3. SAR for wet season 0.05 - 0.06 and dry season 0.00 - 0.05, %Na wet season 3.64 - 16.59 and dry season 1.22 - 10.97, KR wet season 0.01 - 0.02 and 0.00 <span style="font-size:10pt;

Geogenic versus Anthropogenic Metals and Metalloids

Developing a successful strategy for investigating and remediating sites potentially impacted by metals (such as chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], lead [Pb], nickel [Ni], and zinc [Zn]) and metalloids (such as arsenic [As] and antimony [Sb]) can be challenging. These elements occur naturally and geologic materials can be enriched in these elements by natural processes. Conventional environmental investigative methods do not readily support evaluating whether metals and metalloids are geogenic (naturally occurring) or anthropogenic (from human action), or allow differentiating multiple anthropogenic sources. Geochemical methods can potentially determine whether metals and metalloids are geogenic or anthropogenic, and differentiate between possible anthropogenic sources. Conventional geo-chemical methods include whole-rock analysis using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to yield elemental concentrations;optical petrography and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine mineral phases present;and electron microprobe (EMP) to confirm both mineral phases present and the distribution of elements within mineral phases and the rock matrix. These methods, with the exception of the EMP, can be performed in the field using portable equipment, allowing for relatively rapid assessment of sites. A case study is presented in which these techniques were successfully utilized to demonstrate, using multiple lines of evidence, that metals and metalloids present in subsurface fractured rock were geogenic and unrelated to recent industrial operations.

Achieving Sustainable Use and Management of Water Resources for Irrigation in Nigeria

Water resource is available in Nigeria to meet water demand for domestic,agricultural and industrial use.If well enhanced and protected from various source of pollution.However,less information is available on suitability of water resources for irrigation use in Nigeria.This article reviews literature of the past with regards to influence of geogenic and anthropogenic activities on water resource for irrigation purpose in Nigeria and also to explain the current state of suitability of water resource for irrigation studies in Nigeria and gaps in studies.It also summarizes future ways on water resource management and preventive measure for water resource pollution for irrigation use.Related articles were downloaded from Google scholar in water-related issues.This paper tends to review previous article on water resource in Nigeria,and its suitability for irrigation.The primary aim of this paper is to produce a synoptic overview of the water resources in Nigeria and its suitability for irrigation use.From paper reviewed it was observed that 89%of water resources was considered suitable for irrigation.

A Comprehensive Review of Water Quality Monitoring and Assess­ment in Delta State,Southern Part of Nigeria

This research presents a review on water resources in Delta state,south­ern part of Nigeria,with emphasis on hydrogeochemical and microbial assessment.It evaluates factors responsible for water contamination,and their resulting health challenges within the study area.To achieve the ob­jective of this study,related articles were downloaded from Google,pub­lished article on influence of hydrogeochemical and microbial activities on water resources.These articles were thoroughly studied.Findings from this study,suggested that groundwater was more studied than surface wa­ter.We also observed that groundwater within the riverine communities is much more prone to pollution when compared to groundwater in an up­land area.Results from various authors suggested that,larger percentage of groundwater showed presence of coliform.Further findings suggested that geochemical processes such as rock water interaction,seawater in­trusion and precipitation influences groundwater quality within the study area especially within Sombreiro-Warri Deltaic Plain Deposit.

Sanitary Surveys and Hydrochemistry of Groundwater in Two Urban Towns (Ado-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti), Southwestern Nigeria

Groundwater contamination in urban cities is imminent in the phase of increased anthropogenic activities apart from the contribution of geogenic contaminants. This study examined the sanitary surveys and hydrochemistry of groundwater in Ado-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti to establish the contaminants’ sources, decipher the effects of urbanization on population and explain any relationship between the surveys and the groundwater chemistry. Sanitary surveys of 30 randomly selected wells each from Ado-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti were executed by administering and processing appropriately designed questionnaires that addressed salient problems of hygiene and sanitation. The results of the surveys were grouped into very high risk, high risk, intermediate risk, and low risk classes. Subsequently, at each location, in situ parameters (temperature (°C), pH and EC (μS/cm)) were measured using a portable Multi-parameter TestrTM 35 Series S/N: 1382654. At each well, water samples were collected into clean polyethylene bottles in triplicates for cation, anions and e-coli evaluations, respectively. Water samples for cations were acidified by adding two drops of concentrated nitric acid. All samples were kept in a refrigerator at a low temperature of about 4°C before being taken to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, for analyses. Ion chromatography was employed for the anions analysis while the cations were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Buck 210 model. Membrane filter technique was employed for the e-coli estimation. From the results of the hydrochemistry, the Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI) and Modified Nitrate Pollution Index (MNPI) were estimated and classified into;clean unpolluted, light pollution, moderate pollution, significant pollution, very significant pollution waters. Sanitary surveys in the two cities showed that in the very low risk, intermediate and high-risk categories, Ado-Ekiti had 33.33%, 56.67% and 10% representations, while Ijero-Ekiti had 50%, 23.33% and 26.67% representations, respectively. This observation showed that Ado-Ekiti with higher population and humans’ activities compared to Ijero-Ekiti was less susceptible to pollution. Urbanization has no direct effects on sanitary surveys. The pH of wells’ water in Ado-Ekiti ranged from 4.8 - 8.2, EC (μS/cm) from 101 - 1008, while at Ijero-Ekiti, the pH and EC (μS/cm) varied from 2.1 - 13.8 and 80 - 1008 respectively. Ado-Ekiti wells’ water was more acidic than that of Ijero-Ekiti. Chemical concentrations (mg/L) of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, , and Clˉ of the wells’ water in both cities were within WHO-approved standards for drinking water. However, with average concentrations of 142.17 (mg/L) and 252.71 (mg/L) at Ado-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti, respectively, exceeded the standard in many locations. Susceptibility to pollution classification employing TDS, NPI and MNPI showed that Ijero-Ekiti was more susceptible to pollution compared to Ado-Ekiti. This assertion was supported by statistical analysis employing correlation, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. This study showed that urbanization had no direct effects on sanitary surveys and groundwater quality. Pollution of wells’ water in the two cities was, mainly from anthropogenic activities. However, Ijero-Ekiti, with significant anthropogenic activities, had its wells’ water more susceptible to pollution. Sanitary surveys are a complementary method to water quality monitoring.

Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in Surface Water in Ikoli River and Epie Creek in Yenagoa Metropolis Using Geographical Information System

The article is the investigation of heavy metals pollution on surface water in Ikoli River and Epie creek in Yenagoa,metropolis,Bayelsa State.Pb,Cd,Ni,Cr,Fe,Zn was determined and evaluated using Geographical Information System.Zinc concentration was below the permissible limit of 3 mg/L in all the locations sampled.Iron is 77.78%below the limit of WHO 2011 of 0.3 mg/L while other heavy metals examined in Ikoli River and Epie creek are highly polluted.The pollution index for contamination index shows 11.11%sample are high and 88.89%are low while the evaluation of heavy metal index and the pollution index load of the heavy metals contain 22.11%of the sample are low and 77.78%are high which imply the Ikoli River and Epie creek is polluted.Multivariate treatment of the result revealed a good correlation between the PCA and HCA,which showed activities of natural processes and man influenced environmental sources of the heavy metals which were mainly products of automobiles exhaust,water tank leakages as well as dumping of radioactive wastes and burning.The study investigated successfully the potential use of GIS with the help of multiple criteria decision analysis to predict and characterize areas of high pollution,medium,and low pollution in the study area.