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Modelling and assessing the protectivity of hydrogeological units using primary and secondary geoelectric indices: a case study of Ikot Ekpene Urban and its environs, southern Nigeria

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Abstract

The resistivity method involving the use of vertical electrical sounding and electrical resistivity tomography techniques was used in this study to assess the protectivity of hydrogeological units in Ikot Ekpene Urban and its environs in southern Nigeria. The study area is shown to comprise 3–4 sandy layers (fine, coarse and gravelly) with clay intercalations at some locations as constrained by available borehole lithological data. The third layer with resistivity values of 214.4–2839.0 Ωm, interpreted as fine or coarse sands at some locations or gravelly sands at other locations constitutes the main aquifer in the area and occurs at depth of 9.0–86.6 m. Aquifer protectivity was assessed via the use of longitudinal conductance, resistivity reflection and anisotropy coefficients. The study area is classified into 4 zones based on the protectivity rating. The rating of these zones and their corresponding percentages of the exploitable aquifers are poor (65%), weak (10%), moderate (20%) and good (5%). The water table correlates with the surface topography and the sink occurs in the central part of the area. The motley topsoil is shown to be noncorrosive, and thus, utility pipes can be buried in the layer without any risk of being damaged due to corrosion. These results provide valuable information in designing effective groundwater and waste disposal management plan in the area.

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Funding

Funding was provided by TETfund through staff development of the first author, who is a staff of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Nigeria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

    Emem O. Ikpe

  2. Department of Physics, Geophysics Research Group (GRG), Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin, Nigeria

    Aniekan M. Ekanem & Nyakno J. George

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  1. Emem O. Ikpe
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  2. Aniekan M. Ekanem
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  3. Nyakno J. George
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Correspondence to Aniekan M. Ekanem.

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Ikpe, E.O., Ekanem, A.M. & George, N.J. Modelling and assessing the protectivity of hydrogeological units using primary and secondary geoelectric indices: a case study of Ikot Ekpene Urban and its environs, southern Nigeria. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 8, 4373–4387 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-022-01366-x

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