Abstract
A geoelectric survey involving vertical electrical sounding (VES) employing Schlumberger electrode configuration was carried out with the aim of evaluating the aquifer potential, electric and hydraulic parameters in Ezza North. Schlumberger electrode configuration was used to acquire data for twelve VES stations. The interpreted and analyzed results reveal four to six geoelectric layers. The VES curves obtained were QQH, QHK, QHA, QQQ, HAK, KHK, HKH and QQ. From the result, the Dar Zarrouk parameters (longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance) were calculated. The longitudinal conductance ranges between 0.1528 and 4.6 mhos. The transverse resistance ranges between 662.4 and 38,808 Ωm2. The range of hydraulic conductivity is 1.1645–38.0491 m/day, while the range of transmissivity is 89.66–2100.3 m2/day from the estimated values. The contour maps were drawn using the electrical and hydraulic parameters, and the distribution of the aquifer parameters is shown. Based on the results, aquifer potential and protective capacity of the study area were determined.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agumanu AE (1989) The Abakaliki and the Ebonyi Formations: sub-divisions of the Albian Asu River Group in the southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. J Afr Earth Sci 9(1):195–207
Akpan AE, George NJ, George AM (2009) Geophysical investigation of some prominent gully erosion sites in Calabar, southeastern Nigeria and its implications to hazard prevention. Disaster Adv 2(3):46–50
Al Sabahi E, Rahim SA, Wan Zahairi WY, Nozaily AI, Alshaebi F (2009) The characteristics of leachate and groundwater pollution at municipal solid waste landfill of Ibb City, Yemen. Am J Environ Sci 5(3):256–266
Bhattacharya PK, Patra HP (1968) Direct current geoelectric sounding: principles and interpretation. Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc., Amsterdam
Chakravarthi V, Shankar GBK, Muralidharan D, Harinarayana T, Sundararajan N (2007) An integrated geophysical approach for imaging subbasalt sedimentary basins: case study of Jam River Basin, India. Geophysics 72(6):141–147
Ekine AS, Osobonye O (1996) Surface geo-electric sounding for the determination of aquifer characteristics in parts of Bonny local government area of Rivers State. Niger J Phys 85:93–97
Evans UF, George NJ, Akpan AE, Obot IB, Ikot AN (2010) A study of superficial sediments and aquifers in parts of Uyo local government area, Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria, using electrical sounding method. Eur J Chem 7(3):1018–1022
Ezeh CC, Ugwu GZ (2010) Geoelectrical Sounding for Estimating Groundwater Potential in Nsukka L.G.A, Enugu State, Nigeria. Int J Phys Sci 5(5):415–420
George NJ, Akpan AE, Obot IB (2010) Resistivity study of shallow aquifer in parts of southern Ukanafun Local government area, Akwa Ibom State. Eur J Chem 7(3):693
George N, Obianwu V, Udofia K (2011) Estimation of aquifer hydraulic parameters via complimenting surficial geophysical measurement by laboratory measurements on the aquifer core samples. Int Rev Phys 5(2):88–96
George NJ, Emah JB, Ekong UN (2015) Geohydrodynamic properties of hydrogeological units in parts of Niger Delta, southern Nigeria. J Afr Earth Sci 105:55–63
Heigold PC, Gilkeson RH, Cartwright K, Reed PC (1979) Aquifer transmissivity from surficial electrical methods. Gr Water 17(4):338–345
Henriet JP (1976) Direct application of Dar Zarrouk parameters in groundwater survey. Geophys Prospect 24:344–353
Ibuot JC, Akpabio GT, George NJ (2013) A survey of repository of groundwater potential and distribution using geoelectrical resistivity method in Itu L.G.A., Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. Central Eur J Geosci 5(4):538–547
Maillet R (1947) The fundamental equations of electrical prospecting. Geophysics 12:529–556
McDonald AM, Davies J, Dochartagh BEO (2002) Simple methods for assessing groundwater resources in low permeability areas of Africa. In: British geological survey commissioned report, CR/01/168N
Niwas S, Singhal DC (1981) Estimation of aquifer transmissivity from Dar Zarrouk parameters in porous media. Hydrology 50:393–399
Okoronkwo IL (2003) Guinea worm infestation: a case of Ezzagu community in Ebonyi State. West African Journal of Nursing, University of Nigeria Nsukka Virtual Library
Olawuyi AK, Abolarin SB (2013) Evaluation of vertical electrical sounding method for groundwater development in basement complex terrain of west-central Nigeria. Niger J Technol Dev 10(2):22–28
Olayinka AI, Obere FO, David LM (2000) Estimation of longitudinal resistivity from Schlumberger sounding curves. J Min Geol 36(2):225–242
Orellana E, Mooney H (1966) Master tables and curves for VES over layered structures. Interciencia, Madrid
Reyment RA (1965) Aspect of geology of Nigeria. University of Ibadan Press, Ibadan
Singh KP (2005) Nonlinear estimation of aquifer parameters from surficial resistivity Measurements. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci Dis 2:917–993
Singh P (2007) Engineering and general geology for B.E. (Civil Mining, Metallurgy Engineering), B.Sc. and A.M.I.E courses. S.K. Katara and Sons, Delhi
Zohdy AAR, Eaton GP, Mabey DR (1974) Application of surface geophysics to groundwater investigations. United State Geophysical Survey, Washington
Acknowledgments
Authors are grateful to Dr. J. U. Chukudebelu, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Solomon Offiah, National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for their contributions and encouragement.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Obiora, D.N., Ibuot, J.C. & George, N.J. Evaluation of aquifer potential, geoelectric and hydraulic parameters in Ezza North, southeastern Nigeria, using geoelectric sounding. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 13, 435–444 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-015-0886-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-015-0886-y