Application of inverse modelling for prediction of the surface water chemistry of the ekulu river in enugu, southeastern nigeria

Abstract

Surface water chemistry evolution of Ekulu River was conducted by inverse geochemical modelling using the PHREEQC computer program. In this study, samples were collected from the Ekulu river at 100m intervals, and were taken to the laboratory for major anions and cations, heavy metal and bacterial content analyses. Inverse geochemical modelling results reveal that the river evolved as a result of dissolution of siderite, quartz, gypsum, galena, sphalerite, pyrolusite and precipitation of goethite and pyrite. The Piper diagram indicates Calcium-Chloride water type, with high Ca²⁺ + Mg⁺ and Cl^- + SO₄² contents, which is typical of water originated from gypsum dissolution and mine drainage. The results of the analyses show that the water cannot be recommended for drinking because the E. coli and coliform contents are higher than the permissible limits. The water chemistry of Ekulu river is as a result of secondary minerals dissolution and mine drainage from Onyeama coal mine whereas the microbial content resulted from pollution from recent faeces.