Characterization of Groundwater Contamination Using Factor Analysis in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 14, Issue 11
Abstract
The present work examines the results of factor analysis performed on major ions and total hydrocarbon content (THC) from hydrochemical studies over Benin formation aquifer of the Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. The dominant cations are and Cl (96%) as the dominant anion. Five major factors were found to explain the source of the ions and THC in the groundwater. Generally, Factors 1 (EC, , , , and ) and 4 ( , , and CI) are mainly due to ion exchange sea water intrusion and effluent water disposal near oil processing facilities. Factor 2 (Fe and Mn) is attributed to geogenic sources while Factor 3 (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and THC) is due to effluent water disposal, leakages of crude oil pipelines, storage facilities, and indiscriminate disposal of waste. Factor 5 is attributed to the disposal of human and domestic wastes into the environment.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 14 • Issue 11 • November 2009
Pages: 1255 - 1261
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 2, 2008
Accepted: Mar 17, 2009
Published online: Oct 15, 2009
Published in print: Nov 2009
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