Author(s)

Murtala Shehu Ahmed^1*, Adamu Idris Tanko², Martin Obada Eduvie³, Mohammed Ahmed²

¹Department of Health, Safety and Environment, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, Kaduna, Nigeria.
²Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
³National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Nigeria.

DRASTIC index model was employed in the assessment of the intrinsic groundwater vulnerability to contamination in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. The model evaluates the contribution of seven environmental parameters (Depth to water level, Net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone, and Hydraulic Conductivity) in the protection of groundwater against contamination. The mapping was conducted within the framework of Geographical Information System. The study area has very low, low to slightly moderate vulnerability with highest and lowest DRASTIC values of 131 and 77 respectively. To have better understanding of the spatial vulnerability of groundwater in the area, the DRASTIC map was reclassified into five (very high, high, moderate, low and very low) vulnerability zones. Generally, the distribution of the vulnerability classes indicated the low to moderate vulnerability status of the majority parts of the study area, with high vulnerability at the center. Strict control measures should be put in place when locating land uses with high potential hazards in the high and very high vulnerability areas.

Groundwater, Vulnerability Mapping, Contamination, Geographic Information Systems, Nigeria

Ahmed, M. , Tanko, A. , Eduvie, M. and Ahmed, M. (2017) Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability in Kaduna Metropolis, Northwest Nigeria. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 5, 99-117. doi: 10.4236/gep.2017.56011.