Review of groundwater potentials and groundwater hydrochemistry of semi-arid Hadejia-Yobe Basin, North-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Understanding the hydrochemical and hydrogeological physiognomies of subsurface water in a semi-arid region is important for the effective management of water resources. This paper presents a thorough review of the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Hadejia-Yobe basin. The hydrochemical and hydrogeological configurations as reviewed indicated that the Chad Formation is the prolific aquifer in the basin.  Boreholes piercing the Gundumi formation have a depth ranging from 20-85 meters.  The hydrochemical composition of groundwater revealed water of excellent quality, as all the studied parameters were found to have concentrations within WHO and  Nigeria’s standard for drinking water quality.  However,  further studies are required for further evaluation of water quality index, heavy metal pollution index, and irrigation water quality. Also, geochemical, and stable isotope analysis is required for understanding the provenance of salinity and hydrogeochemical controls on groundwater in the basin.