Groundwater chemistry, storage and dynamics in parts of Jigawa Central, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The Sedimentary (Chad formation) and Basement complex rocks in parts of Ji (Chad formation) and Basement complex rocks in parts of Jigawa State were gawa State were investi investi gated for groundwater suitability for drinking, efficiency in water transmission and storage gated for groundwater suitability for drinking, efficiency in water transmission and storage using aquifer properties derived from pumping test data using the Cooper and Jacob using aquifer properties derived from pumping test data using the Cooper and Jacob strai ght line method for single well tests. The mean values of transmissivity, h method for single well tests. The mean values of transmissivity, h ydraulic conductivity and Specific ydraulic conductivity and Specific capacity recorded for the area are 4.06×10 capacity recorded for the area are 4.06×10-2 m2 /s, 4.52×10-3 m/s and 1.30×10-1 m2 /s/m, respectivel y. Boreholes yield ranges between 0.20 to Boreholes yield ranges between 0.20 to 1.5 l/s with an average of 0.9 l/s, while drawdown ranges 1.5 l/s with an average of 0.9 l/s, while drawdown ranges from 3.39 to 22.90 m. The low values computed for these aquifer properties indicates the inefficiency from 3.39 to 22.90 m. The low values computed for these aquifer properties indicates the inefficiency from 3.39 to 22.90 m. The low values computed for these aquifer properties indicates the inefficiency and poor performance of the aquifer in the area as far as groundwater potentials and transmission are and poor performance of the aquifer in the area as far as groundwater potentials and transmissio and poor performance of the aquifer in the area as far as groundwater potentials and transmissio concern. This can also be attributed to the poor porosity and permeability of the parent rock from concern. This can also be attributed to the poor porosity and permeability of the parent rock from concern. This can also be attributed to the poor porosity and permeability of the parent rock from which the aquifer material were derived especially for the basement complex aquifers which the aquifer material were derived especiall which the aquifer material were derived especiall y for the basement complex aquifers y for the basement complex aquifers (weathered/fractured rocks) (weathered/fractured rocks) , and the shallowness of the wells whic , and the shallowness of the wells which terminate in Clayey sand or Silty h terminate in Clayey sand or Silty aquifers with low yield. Other possible reasons include poor borehole design and the use of feldsphatic aquifers with low yield. Other possible reasons include poor borehole desi aquifers with low yield. Other possible reasons include poor borehole desi gn and the use of feldsphatic gn and the use of feldsphatic materials as gravel pack which weathers into clay over time. However, the yields can support materials as gravel pack which weathers into clay over time. However, the yields can support materials as gravel pack which weathers into clay over time. However, the yields can support hand pump equi pped wells . The water analysis revealed water of low dissolved salt and hardness that . The water anal ysis revealed water of low dissolved salt and hardness that are within the recommended limit set b y WHO and NIS for drinking