TITLE:
Spatial and Statistical Analysis of Groundwater Chemical Composition in Mui Basin Block C, Kitui County, Kenya: Relationships among pH, Nitrates, and Total Dissolved Solids
AUTHORS:
Nurh Kipkorir Kibos, Julian A. Ogondo, Noah Kerandi
KEYWORDS:
Groundwater Quality, PH, Nitrates, Total Dissolved Solids, Spatial Analysis, IDW Interpolation, Mui Basin
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Groundwater quality assessment is critical for sustainable water resource management in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigated the spatial distribution and interrelationships among pH, nitrate concentrations, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater from Mui Basin Block C, Mwingi Central, Kitui County, Kenya. Water samples were collected from all existing 32 sampling points comprising boreholes, shallow wells, and earth dams, representing shallow (1 - 10 m), moderate (10 - 30 m), and deep (>30 m) aquifer systems. Physicochemical analysis was conducted following standard methods, and spatial distribution patterns were mapped using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation in ArcGIS. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation, were performed to examine relationships among parameters. Results revealed mean values of pH 7.84 ± 0.89, TDS 964.74 ± 893.76 mg/L, and nitrate 56.11 ± 44.52 mg/L. ANOVA indicated no significant variation in these parameters across different aquifer depths (p > 0.05), suggesting uniform hydrogeochemical processes throughout the basin. Strong positive correlations were observed between electrical conductivity and TDS (r = 0.99, p