Hydrochemical Evaluation of Springs in the Adamawa Highlands, North East Nigeria

Springs emerging from the Adamawa Highlands in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, serve as critical water resources for highland communities dependent on subsistence agriculture, yet their hydrochemical character has received limited scientific attention. This study evaluates the hydrochemical composition and quality of selected springs across three local government areas of Adamawa State to assess their suitability for domestic and agricultural use. Fieldwork involved GPS-referenced spring inventory, discharge measurement using volumetric gauging, and sampling for physicochemical and chemical analysis. Parameters measured in the field included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, and turbidity using calibrated field meters. Laboratory analyses quantified major cations and anions, total hardness, and selected trace elements. Saturation indices for calcite and dolomite were computed to interpret mineral equilibria. Water quality was appraised using the weighted arithmetic water quality index method. Durov and Piper diagrams were used to identify dominant hydrochemical facies and the geochemical processes governing spring chemistry. The study identifies springs associated with fracture zones in the granitic highlands as generally meeting potability criteria, whereas springs draining volcanic soil profiles showed elevated fluoride in some locations. These findings have implications for public health surveillance and infrastructure planning by the Adamawa State Ministry of Water Resources. Keywords: spring water, hydrochemistry, Adamawa Highlands, water quality index, fluoride.