Characterization and evaluation of the effects of mine discharges on surface water resources for irrigation: a case study of the Enyigba Mining District, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract Mining activities generate much wastes which degenerate into various geochemical components and affect the natural composition of surface water resources. They cause Acid Mine Drainage (AMDs) influence hydrochemical evolution hydrogeological systems. This study employed parameters to characterize evaluate effects mine discharges on irrigation in mining district Enyigba, SE Nigeria. Twenty-four samples were collected from sources used for subsistence farming analyzed pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium (Na + ), potassium (K), calcium (Ca 2+ magnesium (Mg bicarbonate (HCO 3 ? chloride (Cl ) sulfate (SO 4 2? while including Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), %), (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Total Hardness (TH), Kelly (KR) Electrical Conductivity (EC) deduced. Result indicates hydrogeochemical trend Cl > Mg Ca SO HCO CO Na K , facies Piper Trilinear plot, Durov Schoeller plots shows that dominant ionic species are . Irrigation such as SSP, MAR, %, SAR, PI, KR EC indicate majority sample very good moderately suitable irrigation. Five around Amorie Ameka within hard category TH, could be attributed high concentration ion area. Apart discharges, rock interaction also affects resources