Appraisal of Aluminum, Cobalt, Manganese, Lead, and Chromium in Shallow Groundwater in Kebbi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
This study investigates groundwater quality through in situ and laboratory analyses, focusing on heavy metals and key physicochemical parameters. In situ measurements included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and dissolved oxygen (DO), while laboratory analyses quantified concentrations of cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and aluminium (Al). A statistical summary was developed to describe minimum, maximum, mean, and standard error values for each parameter, providing insight into groundwater quality variability. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between EC, TDS, and metal concentrations, suggesting that ionic strength influences metal mobilization in groundwater. Weak correlations between pH and most metals indicate limited impact of acidity or basicity on their presence, although lead showed a slight inverse relationship with pH, consistent with its behavior in basic conditions. Factor analysis identified four key factors explaining groundwater quality variance. Factor 1, capturing 93.37% of the variance, primarily represents salinity and mineral dissolution effects. Factor 2, highlighting aluminium and manganese interactions, likely reflects geogenic influences. Factors 3 and 4, capturing minimal variance, suggest localized chemical interactions influencing metal availability. Overall, the results highlight the complexity of groundwater chemistry and the significant role of dissolved ions and geogenic factors in heavy metal distribution. These findings inform targeted water management practices to improve groundwater quality, emphasizing regular monitoring, source control, and public awareness.
Keywords: Groundwater quality, Heavy metals, Correlation analysis, Factor analysis, Water management