Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the direction of flow of suspended particulate matter in boreholes located within the premises of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State, Nigeria. Fourteen (14) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were taken in four traverses within the premises and immediate environment of MOUAU. The pattern of groundwater flow within the study locations was deciphered through the use of elevation or hydraulic heads which were determined using Global Positioning System GPS. Water samples were taken from boreholes within the premises of MOUAU and along the banks of Kwa Ibo River bordering the University. The water samples were analysed for physical and chemical properties. Suspended particulate matter and the turbidity were identified and compared to WHO standard. In most well locations, the suspended particulate matters were not sufficient enough to contaminate the ground water except at the CNAS and Zennith bank locations, which have suspended particulate load of 1200g/L and 700mg/L respectively. These high values suggest contamination. Generally, the flow progrades from north to south of the study area. The pattern and distribution of each parameters was contoured using Surfer 8 softwares. The flow pattern and distribution actually shows that the direction of flow of suspended particulate matter at CNAS and Zenith bank is symptomatic of contamination within these indicated positions.

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