Analysis of the qualitative evolution of groundwater in the Abouabou area in the Port-Bouët municipality (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

The study aimed to analyze the seasonal qualitative evolution of the Quaternary groundwater in the Abouabou area in order to see the capacity of this water to be used as a water supply by the populations. In-situ measurements (temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and pH) and chemical parameter analyses (NH(4)(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), K(+), Na(+), NO(3)(-), NO(2)(-), PO(4)(3-), SO(4)(2-), Cl(−) and HCO(3)(-)) were performed on the 24 samples collected during the four (4) seasons of the year. The use of Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests has allowed the monitoring of seasonal variations in hydro-chemical parameters in well and borehole water. Also, the Piper diagram permit to identify the main hydrochemical facies according to the seasons. Finally, the Kohonen Self Organizing Maps (SOM) method was applied to physico-chemical parameters in order to highlight the spatial distribution of groundwater quality in the Abouabou area. The results show that, based on the physico-chemical parameters analysed, the groundwater is of good quality due to meeting WHO standards for drinking water consumption during all seasons of the year. Significant seasonal variations were recorded in the values of the parameters like turbidity, pH and Cl(−) for well water and turbidity, PO(4)(3-), NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+), K(+), Cl(−) for borehole water. The hydrochemical facies shows a seasonal variation. Analysis of Abouabou's water reveals the variation of its hydrochemical facies. Thus, bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium facies during the long dry and rainy seasons move towards the chlorine, calcium and magnesium facies during the short dry and rainy seasons. Four water groups have been identified using SOM method, including heterogeneous groups composed mainly of borehole water (I and III) or of well water (II and IV). Borehole and well water acquire most of their mineralization by the infiltration of surface elements. Drinking water from boreholes is of good quality.