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Assessment of saltwater–freshwater interactions using water samples and borehole logging information in the Lagos coastal region, Nigeria

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Abstract

An analysis of borehole logs with hydrophysical data from the Lagos coastal belt, Southwestern Nigeria, was carried out to evaluate the subsurface lithological units and geo-environmental impact of seawater intrusion into coastal freshwater. Forty-five (45) borehole logs, consisting of natural gamma, electrical resistivity log and hydrophysical parameters were integrated to delineate saline and fresh aquifer zones and propose simplified conceptual models for adequate groundwater characterisation and development. The qualitative interpretation of the borehole logs revealed a complex lithology of alternating sequences of sand and clay layers. The study also showed that the subsurface was variably intruded by saline water indicated by low resistivity values with freshwater/saline water boundaries occurrence at depths ranging between 14 and 157 m from west to east. The variation in depths of occurrence of freshwater/saline water interface is dependent principally on the proximity to saline/brackish water source as well as variation in lithology. Complementarily, the average electrical conductivity (EC) of 1770 μS/cm (GW1–7) and 1676 μS/cm (GW8–13) recorded in groundwater at Apapa in the west and Island at the central part, respectively, further confirmed saline incursion of the coastal aquifers in the region. This study demonstrates versatility of geophysical borehole logs in identification and differentiation of the subsurface lithology and its fluid content.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mr Oyebade, Mr Kuseju, Mr Adeogun and Mr Agbalaya of the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources for providing geophysical logs. We are very grateful to the Groundwater and Geophysical Services Limited for providing parts of the geophysical logs. The logistic support and useful discussions provided by Mr Ilori of the Lagos State Water Corporation, is highly appreciated. The anonymous reviewers whose comments helped to significantly improve the quality of this manuscript are highly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    M. A. Yusuf & K. O. Ibrahim

  2. School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    M. A. Yusuf & T. A. Abiye

  3. Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS), University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    K. O. Ibrahim

  4. Department of Chemical, Geological and Physical Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

    B. A. Ojulari

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  1. M. A. Yusuf
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Yusuf, M.A., Abiye, T.A., Ibrahim, K.O. et al. Assessment of saltwater–freshwater interactions using water samples and borehole logging information in the Lagos coastal region, Nigeria. Environ Earth Sci 80, 679 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09968-x

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