Geo-electric Sounding for Groundwater Investigation: Case of Umuida and its Environs, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Omali AO, Ugbena KG, Ezeugwu SU
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6725918
ABSTRACT
The quest to assess potable water for human activities has led to intense subsurface investigation in most parts of the world. In this study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the groundwater potential of Umuida community and its environs in Enugu State, Nigeria. Using vertical electrical sounding (VES), the field survey was carried out at eleven points within the study area. Data analysis and modeling curves revealed five to six geo-electric layers with one aquiferous layer within an average depth of 90 m and average resistivity value of 243.38 ?m in the area. Correlation of interpreted VES data with data obtained from five existing boreholes in the area indicated slight variation in depth values for the aquiferous layers. Depth to saturated zones from the VES data was within the range of 88.3 m and 125.8 m and shallower within the North-Eastern zone with thickness averaging 60 m. The use of this method has shown that productive boreholes for potable water, can be recommended at locations within Umuida and a benchmark of 110 m depth has been recommended to represent subsurface horizons saturated with water in the area. In spite of the inherent problems encountered using this geophysical method for the subsurface investigation, the use of resistivity method remains an invaluable tool for the investigation of subsurface geology and plays a key role in exploration programmes for water resources.
Affiliations: Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University, PMB 1008, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Geophysical Method, Electrical Resistivity, Aquiferous Layer, Groundwater, Saturated Zone, Umuida
Published date: 2022/06/30
