Water quality and hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater around Mt. Meru, Northern Tanzania

• DOI: 10.1007/s13201-019-0955-3
• Publication Date: 2019-06-07T09:02:53Z
• Authors: Edikafubeni Makoba; Alfred N. N. Muzuka
• Keywords: Total dissolved solids

Climate change and population growth around Mt. Meru experienced lower availability of water for domestic agricultural uses. Reduction in quantity is compounded by lack information on quality which could lead to undesired health risks effects when such used irrigation. Thus, major ions from 54 different types (springs, streams, dug wells, boreholes, lakes) were assess hydrogeochemical characteristics suitability purposes. Results showed dominance the cation anion order Na+ > K+ Ca2+ Mg2+ HCO3− CO32− Cl− SO42− NO3− F−, respectively. It revealed that recharge zone. Geology, water–rock interaction time, climatic conditions control chemistry. Major freshwater aquifers found be fractured mafic volcanics, breccia, tuff. Lahars, due their susceptibility weathering, host groundwater low quality. The irrigation purposes was moderate, lakes < wells boreholes streams springs. Fluoride natural contaminant affecting with mean value 17.6 mg/L, while elevated (mean = 118 mg/L), 59 mg/L) 390 relative other affect In some few cases, anthropogenic pollutions recognized through Cl−.