Authors : I. Tamunobereton-Ari, E.D. Uko and V.B. Omubo-Pepple
Abstract: This study reports the locating of possible and suitable sites to drill boreholes for safe, portable and sustainable water supply to the ever-growing population and industries in the area and the vulnerability of this water body to pollutant as a result of human and industrial activities in the area. Data collected from vertical electrical sounding were used to interpret laterally and vertically varying succession of high and low resistive geoelectric layers throughout the area of study. Chemical analysis of three Pollutants Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) was carried out on 60 soil samples collected randomly from 10 locations at various depths from the ground surface to 25 m depth to determine their total concentration in the soil at ground surface and their degree of leaching towards the groundwater of the area. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique was used to analyze and determine the total concentration of the pollutants in the soil samples. The results show that there is good aquifer distribution laterally across the study area with aquifer thickness of between 50-60 m and the groundwater resource of the area is less vulnerable to pollutants because of the presence of a thin layer of organic matters and clay deposits that adsorb the pollutants of interest and minimize the leaching of the pollutants towards the saturated zone.
I. Tamunobereton-Ari, E.D. Uko and V.B. Omubo-Pepple, 2010. Anthropogenic Activities-Implications for Ground Water Resource in Okrika, Rivers State, Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 5: 204-211.