Effect of Flood on Water Resources in North-Central Nigeria

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Utsev, Joseph Terlumun | Nnaji, Chidozie Charles | Nnennaya, Mama Cordelia

Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria | Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Note: [] Corresponding author: E-mail: chidozie.nnaji@unn.edu.ng

Abstract: Surface and groundwater quality of selected states within the North-Central, Nigeria were investigated to ascertain the effect of flood on water quality over a period of six months. Statistical, standardized principal component and water quality index analyses were used to interpret the results. Increase in some groundwater parameters are 198.7% for hardness, 541% for colour, 169.8% for iron, 200% for chromium and 117.6% for calcium. The increase in some surface water quality parameters after the flood is as follows: colour (316.76%), turbidity (171%), total suspended solids (156.65%), conductivity (180.5%), chromium (300%) and sulphate (121.2%). Overall groundwater quality decreased from a fair status (69.1%) before the flood to a marginal status (55.3%) after the flood. In the same vein surface water quality decreased from a fair status (72.53%) before the flood to a marginal status (55.1%). There was a 27% reduction in surface water quality and 20.4% reduction in groundwater quality.

Keywords: Flood, surface water, groundwater, pollution

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 59-71, 2015