Assessment of Pollution Mechanism Between a Pit Latrine and Hand Dug Well Using Electrical Resistivity, Physiochemical and Microbial Data at Diye Zaramaganda, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pit latrines are among the most common human excreta disposal systems in low-income countries. In some communities within Jos-South LGA, these pit latrines are located close to hand-dug wells, the primary domestic water source for residents. This study assessed the potential pollution mechanism between a pit latrine and a hand-dug well in Diye Zaramaganda, Jos-South, using electrical resistivity survey, physiochemical analyses, and microbial data. The Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) technique using the half-Schlumberger array was employed for data acquisition at nine VES points along three traverses spaced 5m apart. The field data obtained were processed using IX1D version 1.0 to produce the sounding curves and determine the subsurface parameters (resistivity, thickness, and depth). Surfer software version 9.0was used to generate the geo-electric sections. Interpretation of the sounding curves revealed that the subsurface beneath VES points 1 and 2 had three layers (A and H type curves, respectively), comprising topsoil, weathered/fractured basement, and fresh basement; VES points 3-9 exhibited two layers with resistivity increasing with depth. VES point 2 (H-type curve) had a relatively low resistivity of 140.09 Ùm, occurring between depths of 2.3217 m and 2.6741 m with a thickness of 0.3524 m, likely due to the presence of water in a nearby well. The resistivities for the fresh basement of VES points 1-9 indicated the presence of crystalline rocks without fissures, fractures, or faults that facilitate rapid contaminant transport. Physiochemical analysis of the well water sample revealed a pH of 5.14 and a conductivity of 2000 µs/cm, which were below the WHO standard of 6.5-8.5 for pH and above 1000 µs/cm for conductivity. The microbial analysis indicated that the water sample contained a total 5 coliform count of 4.2 x 10 cfu/ml and microorganisms such as Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus faecalis, and Proteus spp., suggesting that the water is contaminated with feces.

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Publication Info:

Author: Akpuogwu, I.M. and Akanbi, E.S.

Volume: 61

Issue: September

Published By: Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 61(1) 2025. pp. 15 - 24, 2025-01-09