An Assessment of Irrigation Water Quality Around Lake Chad Basin Northeast Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the irrigation water quality around Lake Chad Basin in Borno, Northeast Nigeria. Water samples were collected from 5 different locations around the areas. The samples were collected from boreholes; hand dug well, rivers, ground and shallow wells in cleaned plastic bottles. The water samples were analyzed for indices pH and EC values ranged from 6.12-7.45; EC 0.63-3.77 dSm-1.The soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+,Na+, and K+) values ranged from Ca2+ 0.08-0.70 meq/l, Mg2+ 0.05-0.54 meq/l; K+ 10.51-18.50 meq/l; Na+ 1.21-8.10 meq/l. On the other hand, the soluble anions (Cl-, P, SO4-, HCO32-, CO32-) values ranged from CO32- 0.00-5.81 meq/l; HCO3- 0.60-6.20 meq/l; Cl- 0.57-9.03 meq/l; P 2.35-8.45 ppm; SO4 0.02-0.35 meq/l. Conversely the salinity indices (RSC, SAR and TDS) values also ranged from RSC 1.89-6.07 meq/l; SAR 2.67-5.81 and TDS 125.00-146.67 respectively. The results from this research indicated that the water samples are saline. Also, the Cl- and SAR posed low salinity hazards, and therefore the water are not suitable for irrigation