Land-use and its implication on physicochemical parameters of groundwater: Evidence from Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State

Abstract

Groundwater is essentially the major source of fresh water and used widely for drinking purpose. In any given area, groundwater within  an aquifer, or groundwater produced by a well, has some vulnerability to contamination from human activities. Therefore, information on  human activities that leads to contamination of groundwater is important. Such information can aid in the choice of proper locations  for certain activities, so that the adverse effects on groundwater are minimized and protection of groundwater achieved. Against this  background, the study examines land-use and its implications on physiochemical properties of groundwater in Ikenne Local Government  Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study obtains and analyses the existing land-use maps. Water samples were collected for laboratory test to  benchmark physicochemical parameters based on World Health Organisation standards. Water Quality Index (WQI) was used to  determine groundwater quality. Findings from analyses of land-use map show that residential landuse has highest percentage in Iperu  (79.9%) and Ilishan (52.8%) towns, while industrial land-use constitutes the least, representing for 0.6% and 1.9% in Iperu and Ilishan  respectively. The study found that WQI for Ilishan I (39.4), II (33.5), III (43.8) and Iperu I (32.9), II (31.4) was of good quality, while Iperu III  (19.4) was excellent. ANOVA results of F = 0.596 and p > 0.05 established that there is no statistical significant variation in the  physiochemical properties of groundwater. It can be concluded that absence of land-uses that generate contaminants reduce the  likelihood of groundwater contamination. Therefore, strategies for effective implementation of zoning regulations should be put in place  by relevant government agency.