Seasonal Variation in Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Rural Groundwater of Benue State, Nigeria

Groundwater exploitation for rural water supply without proper understanding of its chemistry and changes that may be induced by physical processes and anthropogenic activities may be counter productive. This study examines the effect of season on the physico-chemical concentrations in groundwater in rural areas of Benue State. Water samples were collected from 26 rural community boreholes in the months of October 2005 and February 2006 for both the wet and dry seasons.The analyses was done according to standard methods for water examination and reported based on the WHO prescribed limit for drinking water. The results of analyses show the mean values and CVof the parameters as follows:TP has a mean and CV of 29.15o C and 4.19% for wet season and 32.26 oC; 6.41% for dry season.PH has a mean and CV of 7.55 and 6.21 for wet season as against 8.26 and 4.24% for dry season. The mean and CV of TH is 73.31 and 5.74% for wet season and 65.19 and94.92% for dry season. EC has a mean and CV of 414.27 and137.58% for wet season as against 272.13 and 94.53% for dry season.Chloride has a mean and CV of 72.88 and 137.42% for wet season and 29.65 and 60.24% for dry season.The mean and CV of TDS for wet season is 167.73 and 139.26% and 181.78 and 139.06% for dry season. AK has a mean and CV of 117.15 and 78.26% for wet season as against 16.46 and 145.20%. The mean and CV of TBD of 27.09 and 206.05% is for wet season and 16.82 and 209.39% for dry season. Apart from PH and TDS all other parameters show higher concentrations in groundwater during the dry season.