Determination of the mineral stability field of evolving groundwater in the Lake Bosumtwi impact crater and surrounding areas

Yvonne Sena Akosua Loh, Sandow Mark Yidana, Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo, Patrick Asamoah Sakyi, Millicent Obeng Addai, Daniel Kwadwo Asiedu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Conventional graphical techniques, mass balance geochemical modelling, and multivariate statistical methods were jointly applied to hydrogeochemical data of groundwater from the fractured rock aquifer system, and surface water in the Bosumtwi and surrounding areas to reveal evolutionary trends and the characteristics of evolving groundwater in the area. Four clusters distinguished from the Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) comprised three main groundwater associations and one surface water group (lake water). Although both water resources are of low mineralization (TDS < 1000 mg/l), it was observed that the groundwater from the upper catchment with hydrochemical facies dominated by [Formula presented]3, evolves to [Formula presented] and mixed cations HCO3 water types at the lower reaches. The lake water on the other hand is [Formula presented]3 water type. Results from principal component analyses (PCA) and other geochemical interpretations distinguished three sources of variations in the hydrochemistry. Saturation indices of possible reactive mineral phases show groundwater undersaturation relative to albite, anorthite, aragonite, barite, calcite, chlorite, chrysotile, dolomite, gypsum, k-felspar and talc, and supersaturation with respect to gibbsite, kaolinite, Ca-montmorillonite and k-mica in the area. The PCA and other geochemical interpretation identify weathering of feldspars and carbonate mineral dissolution as predominantly influencing the hydrochemistry of the groundwater. Hydrolysis of the aluminosilicates causes the groundwater to reach equilibrium with kaolinite. In addition to dissolution of silicates, the chemical composition of the lake water has been influenced by evaporation and consequent carbonate saturation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)286-300
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of African Earth Sciences
Volume121
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sep 2016

Keywords

  • Anthropogenic
  • Crater
  • Lake Bosumtwi
  • Multivariate statistical analysis
  • Weathering

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