Application of VES and 2D Resistivity Methods for Groundwater Exploration in Kutigi-Enagi Region, Northern Bida Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

The study integrates electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and vertical electrical sounding (VES) methods for investigation of the groundwater potential of the study area. Five ERT was conducted to determine the variation in resistivity of the shallow subsurface rocks both vertically and laterally in order to infer aquifer zones therefrom while twenty-four VES was carried out to compliment the information obtained from the ERT, determine vertical variation in resistivity, infer lateral variation in resistivity, identify depth to aquifer and infer groundwater prospect of the area. Three geoelectric layers were obtained with layer resistivity and thickness increasing northwards with shallower depth to aquifer obtained at Kutigi. K (ρ1<ρ2>ρ3) and Q (ρ1>ρ2>ρ3) resistivity type curves constitute 75% of obtained curves signifying increasing groundwater saturation and salinity, and are indication of increasing aquifer prospect with depth. The groundwater prospects in the area is generally high with properly constructed boreholes in these areas will produce prolific groundwater at 40 meters with higher yield expected at the southern regions of the study area around Enagi.