Investigating the hydrogeochemistry, corrosivity and scaling tendencies of groundwater in an agrarian area (Nigeria) using graphical, indexical and statistical modelling

Assessment and monitoring of the quality of groundwater are important in areas where anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture, thrive. In the present paper, multiple graphical, stoichiometric, indexical, and multivariate statistical models were integrated for the monitoring and assessment of the quality, corrosivity, and scaling tendencies and hydrogeochemical signatures of groundwater in Ogbaru, Southeast Nigeria. Groundwater from boreholes was sampled across the study area and analyzed for 17 physicochemical parameters following standard procedures. It was revealed that the groundwater is mostly warm and acidic. Synthetic pollution index ranged from 1.49 to 2.82; hence, suggesting that only 21.05% of the groundwater samples are suitable for drinking purpose. However, pollution index of groundwater adjudged the samples to have insignificant pollution levels. Several stoichiometric models identified Ca-Mg-and HCO3-CO3 as the dominant hydrogeochemical facies and dominant water types; thus, describing the water as temporarily hard and unsuitable for laundry. Principal component analysis and multivariate correlation analysis revealed that the groundwater chemistry is influenced by both geogenic processes and anthropogenic influx, although geogenic processes seem to have a higher influence on the modification of the groundwater chemistry. Various corrosion and scaling indices revealed that albeit few analyzed groundwater samples pose minimal scaling risk, the majority are highly corrosive and aggressive. Thus, they portend high risk of deterioration of metallic water distribution and storage systems in the Ogbaru district. Therefore, the findings from this research would be invaluable to water managers, researchers, policymakers as well as the inhabitants of the area for efficient and sustainable groundwater monitoring, management, and protection, and for sustainable economy.