Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria
Abstract Groundwater resources in Abuja, North Central Nigeria, are facing increasing vulnerability to pollution due to urbanization and anthropogenic activity. There are several methods of assessing groundwater vulnerability to contamination. Choosing the appropriate method for the study site, whic...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Discover Water |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00191-4 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832585463456595968 |
|---|---|
| author | Mary Nsikanabasi Etuk Priscilla E. S. Lartsey Raphael Maduka Chinero Nneka Ayogu Igwe ogbonnaya |
| author_facet | Mary Nsikanabasi Etuk Priscilla E. S. Lartsey Raphael Maduka Chinero Nneka Ayogu Igwe ogbonnaya |
| author_sort | Mary Nsikanabasi Etuk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Groundwater resources in Abuja, North Central Nigeria, are facing increasing vulnerability to pollution due to urbanization and anthropogenic activity. There are several methods of assessing groundwater vulnerability to contamination. Choosing the appropriate method for the study site, which is paramount for accurate vulnerability assessment, is sometimes very tasking. The DRASTIC-LU and 3H radioactive tracer methods were assessed in this study and applied to the Abuja aquifers. Water scientists have widely adopted these methods in vulnerability assessments. From the final DRASTIC-LU vulnerability map, it was observed that high to very high vulnerability areas were located in southwestern and northeastern parts of the area. 33% of the wells in the entire area exceed the nitrates statutory limits for drinking water, while 87% of the wells exceeding the nitrates statutory limits were located in high to very highly vulnerable areas. The radioactive tracers provided information on an Abuja aquifer-wide basis, showing areas of most recent recharge (post-nuclear) and older recharge (pre-nuclear), respectively. With the tracer approach, areas of preferential flow and diffuse flow indicating high vulnerability and low vulnerability, respectively, were mapped. This systematic review discusses in detail the advantages and limitations of these methods employing the origin-pathway-target model of vulnerability assessments as the basics of the study. Finally, the application of a dual approach involving the combination of the two is best for vulnerability assessments. This study therefore proposes the need for policymakers to adopt combined methodological approaches for sustainable groundwater management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebcb1b0ea3e54fb3a09928ce27cdc2f1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2730-647X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Water |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebcb1b0ea3e54fb3a09928ce27cdc2f12025-01-26T12:51:28ZengSpringerDiscover Water2730-647X2025-01-015111410.1007/s43832-025-00191-4Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central NigeriaMary Nsikanabasi Etuk0Priscilla E. S. Lartsey1Raphael Maduka2Chinero Nneka Ayogu3Igwe ogbonnaya4Department of Geology, University of NigeriaDepartment of Earth Science LG 58, University of GhanaDepartment of Geology, University of NigeriaDepartment of Geology, University of NigeriaDepartment of Geology, University of NigeriaAbstract Groundwater resources in Abuja, North Central Nigeria, are facing increasing vulnerability to pollution due to urbanization and anthropogenic activity. There are several methods of assessing groundwater vulnerability to contamination. Choosing the appropriate method for the study site, which is paramount for accurate vulnerability assessment, is sometimes very tasking. The DRASTIC-LU and 3H radioactive tracer methods were assessed in this study and applied to the Abuja aquifers. Water scientists have widely adopted these methods in vulnerability assessments. From the final DRASTIC-LU vulnerability map, it was observed that high to very high vulnerability areas were located in southwestern and northeastern parts of the area. 33% of the wells in the entire area exceed the nitrates statutory limits for drinking water, while 87% of the wells exceeding the nitrates statutory limits were located in high to very highly vulnerable areas. The radioactive tracers provided information on an Abuja aquifer-wide basis, showing areas of most recent recharge (post-nuclear) and older recharge (pre-nuclear), respectively. With the tracer approach, areas of preferential flow and diffuse flow indicating high vulnerability and low vulnerability, respectively, were mapped. This systematic review discusses in detail the advantages and limitations of these methods employing the origin-pathway-target model of vulnerability assessments as the basics of the study. Finally, the application of a dual approach involving the combination of the two is best for vulnerability assessments. This study therefore proposes the need for policymakers to adopt combined methodological approaches for sustainable groundwater management.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00191-4AquiferTracerOriginPathwayTargetNitrates contamination |
| spellingShingle | Mary Nsikanabasi Etuk Priscilla E. S. Lartsey Raphael Maduka Chinero Nneka Ayogu Igwe ogbonnaya Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria Discover Water Aquifer Tracer Origin Pathway Target Nitrates contamination |
| title | Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria |
| title_full | Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria |
| title_short | Comparative study of DRASTIC-LU and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution: the case study of Abuja, North Central Nigeria |
| title_sort | comparative study of drastic lu and radioactive isotope approaches for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution the case study of abuja north central nigeria |
| topic | Aquifer Tracer Origin Pathway Target Nitrates contamination |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00191-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marynsikanabasietuk comparativestudyofdrasticluandradioactiveisotopeapproachesforassessinggroundwatervulnerabilitytopollutionthecasestudyofabujanorthcentralnigeria AT priscillaeslartsey comparativestudyofdrasticluandradioactiveisotopeapproachesforassessinggroundwatervulnerabilitytopollutionthecasestudyofabujanorthcentralnigeria AT raphaelmaduka comparativestudyofdrasticluandradioactiveisotopeapproachesforassessinggroundwatervulnerabilitytopollutionthecasestudyofabujanorthcentralnigeria AT chineronnekaayogu comparativestudyofdrasticluandradioactiveisotopeapproachesforassessinggroundwatervulnerabilitytopollutionthecasestudyofabujanorthcentralnigeria AT igweogbonnaya comparativestudyofdrasticluandradioactiveisotopeapproachesforassessinggroundwatervulnerabilitytopollutionthecasestudyofabujanorthcentralnigeria |