Title: Groundwater quality evaluation in Enugu Metropolis, Southeastern Nigeria: a medical hydrogeological approach

Authors: Michael Emeka Okechukwu; Ikenna Onyekwelu; Emeka Leonard Ndulue; Emmanuel Amagu Echiegu; Felix Uzochukwu Asoiro; Vintus Ogwo; Uche Jenice Chiwetalu

Addresses: Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University, Kansas, USA ' Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract: Groundwater has proven to be a valuable resource for the local population of developing countries. Medical hydrogeology, a concept that primarily studies the positive and negative health effects of minerals in water has rarely been studied in Nigeria. Hence, we quantified the percentage of recommended daily intake (RDI) of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and chloride (Cl−) in connection with groundwater physicochemical parameters occurring in groundwater wells found in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. The results showed that groundwater wells in the metropolis are deficient in Ca, Mg, and Cl− minerals. Even though the groundwater physicochemical parameters were within the WHO limits, lead (Pb) and acidic pH concentrations exceeding the WHO limits were observed in over 80% of sampled locations. Consequently, we conclude that groundwater in the metropolis is not a good source of Ca, Mg, and Cl− intake and harbours noxious Pb and pH levels.

Keywords: medical hydrogeology; groundwater; toxicants; minerals; calcium; magnesium; chloride; health.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2024.137776

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2024 Vol.17 No.3, pp.298 - 318

Received: 20 Nov 2022
Accepted: 27 Nov 2022
Published online: 05 Apr 2024 *

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