VARIABILITY OF BRINE WATER QUALITY IN KEANA AND AWE, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the seasonal variability of water properties under mining activities in Awe and Keana Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State.. A total number of eighty (80) water samples were collected and analysed for the physical and chemical and environmental impact of brine water in the two areas. The results of the chemical analysis revealed that the cation concentration are in order of Ca2+ < Mg2 > Na, while that of anions are in the order HCO3 > SO2 2+ > SO42+ > Cl. The concentrations of heavy metal (Cd,Cu, Nm, N, Pb, Zn, Al, Cr, and Fe) were determined in salt water using Aua Regia Extraction analysis. The concentration of heavy metal in the soil samples ranges as follows (ppm): Cd (0.001 trace), Cu (0.01 – 8), Nm (12 – 60), Ni (Trace), Pb (0.01 – 8), Zn (0.001– 6), Al (0.65 – 2.50), Cr (Trace), Fe (0.02 > 10). In percentage, the degree of metal concentration is comparable in the two study areas, except for some non metals. Significant positive correlations were observed between and among the metals. The geo accumulation index order for brine in Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Al > Pb > Al > Cd > Ni > Sn. Evaluation of chemical analysis results revealed that there are significant variations between metals. The major salts identified were HCO32- , SO42-, Cl -, and NO32-., The high conductivity value recorded in the HCO3- is as a result of high concentration of brine water in the study areas.