Application of Factorial Loading in Groundwater Analysis in the Coastal Plain Sands Aquifer of Ibeno Local Government Area in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the factorial analysis of boreholes in coastal plain sands aquifer of Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State due to the constant complains on the pollution of boreholes. Water samples were collected from six locations including Uyo and Etinan as controls for physiochemical analysis, and results compared to the WHO & FMEnv standards of drinking water. Data obtained were subjected to R-mode factor analysis, and physical parameters recorded four loading factors; 1:(TSS, TDS and oil), 2: (color), 3: (turbidity), 4 :(nil), as organic items that pollute aquifer, with the locational factorial loadings in order of : F4>F2>F3>F1 signifying Upenekang (58% ), Iwochang (48%), Okonofiak (44%), Uyo (36%) . From the chemical background, four factors viz:1:(pH, hydrocarbon, HCO3, EC, CaCO3, Cl and NO3), 2:(alkalinity), and 3 - 5 (nil) indicating saltwater incursion and human activities interaction with the geological matrix to alters the groundwater quality. Based on chemical parameters, contributions made by locations to the factorial loadings in the groundwater quality were in order of : F5>F3>F2>F4>F1 signifying Mpanak (79%), Upenekang (78%), Uyo (62%), Okonofiak (48% ), Etinan 42% respectively and heavy metal loadings: two factors, Factor 1 (Ni, Fe, Cr and Al), Factor 2 ( Pb and Cu) were extracted from the dataset representing the signatures of toxicity in aquifer. The contributions of these to factorial loadings were in order of F5>F1>F2>F3>F4 signifying Mkpanak (53%), Uyo (49%), Okonofiak (46%), Iwochang (31%), Etinan (26%) respectively, calling for best management practices for sustainable groundwater sustainability for human survival.

Keywords: Factorial loading, groundwater, coastal, plain sand, aquifer