Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geophysical and geochemical site investigation of eastern part of Lagos metropolis, southwestern Nigeria

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Geophysical and geochemical studies were carried out in the eastern part of Lagos metropolis to determine the possible contamination of subsurface soils and groundwater as a result of dumping of waste into the canal. The geophysical method involved the use of 2D electrical resistivity imaging which was acquired along five (5) traverses, while the geochemical method involved the physicochemical analysis of water samples from nine (9) wells within the study area. The geochemical study includes the analysis of physical parameters like total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and temperature. Seventy elements which include trace elements (such as As, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, U and Zn), major cations (such as Ca, K, Mg and Na) and anions (Cl and Br) were analysed, and the concentrations of the elements were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) permissible level for drinking water. Geophysical results show that the lithology is composed of topsoil, clayey sand, peat and sand. 2D electrical resistivity tomography revealed that the leachate and polluted water from the canal have percolated to the subsurface soil down to a depth of about 37 m with low resistivity values of 1–13 Ω m. In addition to this, result of physicochemical analysis of water samples shows that Mn, Br, TDS, and EC were high in some wells, above the WHO and NSDWQ standard. It was deduced that the subsurface has been invaded by the polluted water from the canal consequently, making the groundwater unsuitable for human consumption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikari PP, Chandrasekharan H, Debashis C, Bhisam K, Yadav BR (2009) Statistical approaches for hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in West Delhi. India Environ Monit Assess 154:41–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agagu, OK (1985) A Geological Guide to Bituminous Sediments in Southwestern Nigeria, (Unpubl Monograph). Dept. of Geology, University of Ibadan

  • AGI (2003) Earth Imager 2D Resistivity Inversion Software, version 1.5.10. Advanced Geosciences, Inc. Austin, TX

  • Billman HG (1992) Offshore stratigraphy and paleontology of the Dahomey embayment. West African NAPE Bulletin 7(2):121–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Binley AG, Cassiani RM, Winship P (2002) Vadose zone flow model parameterisation using cross-borehole radar and resistivity imaging. J Hydrol 267:147–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daily W, Ramirez AL (2000) Electrical imaging of engineered hydraulic barriers. Geophysics 65:83–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daily W, Ramirez A, Johnson R (1998) Electrical impedance tomography of a perchloroethelyne release. J Environ Eng Geophys 2:189–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Enu EI (1990) Nature and occurrence of tar sands in Nigeria. In: Ako BD, Enu EI (eds) Occurrence, utilization and economics of tar sands. Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society publication on tar sands workshop. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, pp 11–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Goes BJM, Meekes JAC (2004) An effective electrode configuration for the detection of DNAPLs with electrical resistivity tomography. J Environ Eng Geophys 9:127–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones HA, Hockey RD (1964) The geology of part of south-western Nigeria. Geol Survey Nigeria Bulletin 31:1–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Loke MH, Barker RD (1996) Rapid least-squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosection by quasi-Newton method. Geophys Prospect 44:131–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Longe EO, Malomo S, Olorunniwo MA (1987) Hydrogeology of Lagos metropolis. J Afr Earth Sci 6(3):163–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Meads LN, Bentley LR, Mendoza CA (2003) Application of electrical resistivity imaging to the development of a geologic model for a proposed Edmonton landfill site. Can Geotech J 40:551–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NSDQW (2007) Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality. Nigerian Industrial Standard NIS 554, Standard Organization of Nigeria, pp. 30

  • Nton, ME (2001) Sedimentological and geochemical studies of rock units in the eastern Dahomey Basin, south western Nigeria, unpublished Ph.D thesis. University of Ibadan, pp 315

  • Omatsola ME, Adegoke OS (1981) Tectonic evolution and cretaceous stratigraphy of Dahomey Basin. Journ Min Geol 18:130–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Oshisanya KI, Nubi OA, Amusan EE, Salaudeen MM (2011) Pollution assessment of the aquatic resources in the Lagos lagoon system. J Am Sci 2011:7(3)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samarghandi MR, Nouri J, Mesdaghinia AR, Mahvi AH, Naseri S, Vaezi F (2007) Efficient removal of phenol, lead and cadmium by means of UV/TiO2 /H2O2 processes. Int J Environ Sci Technol 4(1):10–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg SK, Slater LD, Versteeg R (2002) An integrated geophysical investigation of the hydrogeology of an anisotropic unconfined aquifer. J Hydrol 267:227–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2004) Guidelines for drinking water quality. 3rd edn. Vol. 1 Recommendation, Geneva, 515

  • Wikipedia, 2011. The online encyclopaedia www.wikipedia.org

  • Zvinowanda CM, Okonkwo JO, Shabalala PN, Agyei NM (2009) A novel adsorbent for heavy metal remediation in aqueous environments. Int J Environ Sci Technol 6(3):425–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

    Elijah A. Ayolabi, Ebenezer S. Epelle, Oluwatosin B. Lucas & Adedayo Ojo

Authors
  1. Elijah A. Ayolabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ebenezer S. Epelle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Oluwatosin B. Lucas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adedayo Ojo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elijah A. Ayolabi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ayolabi, E.A., Epelle, E.S., Lucas, O.B. et al. Geophysical and geochemical site investigation of eastern part of Lagos metropolis, southwestern Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 8, 7445–7453 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1688-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1688-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation