Multivariate Statistical Assessment of Surface Water Quality and Pollution Sources in Jakara River Basin, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in Jakara River, Kano State, Nigeria, using multivariate statistical techniques to identify pollution sources and assess water quality status. Fourteen water quality parameters were analyzed across multiple sampling points, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Turbidity, Nutrients (NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻) were analyzed using Standard methods, and Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (PerkinElmer AAnalyst 400). Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between TDS and NO₃⁻ (r = 0.516, p < 0.01), indicating common pollution sources. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted five varimax factors explaining 64.58% of total variance, representing: (1) erosion-induced turbidity and metal contamination, (2) mineral dissolution and agricultural runoff, (3) organic pollution from domestic wastewater, (4) heavy metal contamination from anthropogenic activities, and (5) natural physicochemical processes. The KMO (0.600) and Bartlett's sphericity test (χ² = 607.337, p < 0.01) confirmed PCA suitability. Mean concentrations showed elevated TDS (535.25 mg/L), EC (1055.27 μS/cm), and turbidity (113.24 NTU), with some parameters exceeding national and international guidelines. The findings demonstrate significant anthropogenic impacts from agricultural activities, domestic wastewater discharge, and urban runoff, posing ecological risks and potential human health concerns. This research provides critical baseline data for water resource management and pollution control strategies in semi-arid urban river systems.