WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION WITHIN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF KATAEREGI ARTISANAL GOLD MINING SITES, NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Hydrochemical analysis was performed on water samples obtained from streams, mine ponds and hand-dug wells within the neighbourhood of Kataeregi gold mining site, located along Minna – Bida road in North-central Nigeria. The exercise is aimed at ascertaining the suitability of water from streams and hand-dug wells for both domestic and irrigational purposes. The parameters analysed for comprise of Temperature, Acidity – Alkalinity level (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and concentrations of SO42-, NO3-, HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cu2+, Fe2+, As3+ and Pb2+. Geological field mapping show the area comprise of the Migmatite-Gneiss Complex, Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. The concentrations of Fe2+and Pb2+ far exceed World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) prescribed limits for irrigation, potability and other domestic purposes. The high content of iron could be attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area while the high lead content observed in the area was due to the weathering and subsequent dissolution of galena, discarded by the artisanal miners during the exploration for gold. All water bodies in the area belong to earth-alkaline fresh water, which is an indication of water from shallow aquifer system.