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Description
In this present study, geochemical studies and groundwater samples were collected from Sha’iri-Akiwa environs, Northeast Katsina metropolitan city, Katsina State, Nigeria to evaluate the concentrations and geochemical constraints for mobilizing heavy metals preparably the cadmium (Cd) and other selected heavy metals was done. After in-situ measurements of physicochemical parameters then geochemical analysis was done using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric machine. Pollution indices (i.e. heavy metal pollution index; HPI, heavy metal evaluation index; HEI, contamination degree; Cd, metal index; MI, synthetic pollution index; SPI, ecological risk index; ERI and Nemerow index; NI) evaluations highlighted the levels of heavy metals in the groundwater. Cadmium and iron (Fe) concentrations exceeded the recommended limits in 97% of the analyzed samples, with an average pH of 6.3. Strong positive correlations were observed between cadmium and the computed pollution indices (p 0.772 to p 0.102), suggesting significant Cd pollution of the groundwater. Components analysis grouped Cd, Fe, and the pollution indices in the first PC. This was favorably compared to the correlation analysis result. Cluster analysis categorized Cd, Zn and pH in the first cluster consistent with the suggested dissolution and enrichment of Cd and Zn in the groundwater under similar geochemical conditions. The study area is medium and moderately polluted based on HPI, HEI, Cd, and NI.
Keywords: Zinc-Cadmium; Pollution indices, multivariate statistics; groundwater; Sha’iri-Ajiwa – Katsina (Nigeria)