TITLE:
Organic Carbon (OC) and Organic Matter (OM) in Sediments Collected from Two Wetlands in Central Bida Basin, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Ahmed Aliyu Sidi, Ipoola Ajani Okunlola, Nuhu Musa Waziri
KEYWORDS:
Organic Matter, Organic Carbon, Biogeochemical Processes, Bida Basin, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
27,
2023
ABSTRACT: An improvised auger sediment
sampler was used to collect sediments at shallow
depths from two wetlands in the Northern Bida Basin for laboratory studies in order to ascertain the impact on the chemical quality of groundwater
within these two studied locations. The dissolved organic carbon content of
water is an important component of the geochemical cycling of elements capable
of affecting groundwater quality. The sediments which serve as a conduit and
pathways for the elements’ transport depending on the characteristics of the
particle sizes are to be considered in the evaluation of contaminant mobility within the pathways. Representative
cored sediment samples were collected and their particle size
characterization and chemical analysis for Organic Matter (OM), Organic Carbon
(OC) and Moisture Content (MC) were carried out. The hydrometer results show
that the sediment particle sizes are in the order of sand > clay > silt
in both locations with few exceptions. This represents the geology of the area
(sandstone). The Mean values of 1.14% and 1.98% of OC and OM respectively were
recorded in the sediment samples collected in parts of Ebgako. In contrast,
1.72% and 2.97% mean values were recorded in sediments collected in part of
Bida for OC and OM respectively. The values of the OC and OM in the sediments
from the two wetlands are low and may have been dissolved along the groundwater
pathways to the aquifer. Other physicochemical parameters analysed in the
sediments showed poor correlation. OM and OC were strongly positively
correlated and showed an R2 value of 1 and 0.9 respectively for
parts of the Bida and Egbako sheets. There is
low acidity of the sediments from the two study locations with a mean pH
value of 5.64 and 5.13 respectively for Egbako and Bida. The low acidic nature
of the sediments and the OM and OC composition have the potential to influence
biogeochemical processes in the sediments and can affect the chemical quality
of the groundwater in these two study locations.