Physicochemical quality of groundwater sources in a university environment

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the quality of groundwater sources in the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Composite water samples were collected from eight (8) different sources. The temperature and pH were tested in situ and then transported to the laboratory for analysis using standard procedure. Results revealed that the temperature (29.6 – 29.8oC) across the sources was slightly higher than the WHO thresholds (25-29^oC). The pH (6.41 – 7.75), electrical conductivity (EC) (0.20- 0.83 μS/cm), and total dissolved solids (TDS) (0.10- 0.40 mg/L) across the sources were within the WHO thresholds (6.5-8.5, 1000 μS/cm; <600 mg/L) respectively. The total alkalinity (TA) (2.6 – 6.4 mg/L), total hardness (TH) (120 – 362 mg/L) and chloride ion (Cl-) (70 – 167 mg/L) across the sources were within the WHO (2011) limit (200; 500; 250 mg/L) respectively. The concentration of calcium (Ca²⁺) and manganese (Mg²⁺) in 12.5% and 37.5% of the sources exceeded the WHO standard for Ca2+ (100–300 mg/L) and Mg2+ (60 mg/L) respectively while dissolved oxygen (DO) (1.25– 6.95 mg/L) across the sources was lower than the WHO thresholds (13 – 14 mg/L). Pearson's correlation revealed that EC had a significantly strong relationship with TDS (r=0.718, p<0.05) and Ca²⁺ (r=0.874, p<0.01), TDS with TH (r= 0.763, p<0.05) and Cl (r=0.812, p<0.05), Additionally, TH with Mg²⁺ (r=0.750, p<0.05). In conclusion, the studied groundwater sources showed no significant health implications at the time of the study but can result in an unpalatable taste for drinking purposes.