Abstract
A geophysical survey was carried out at Kaduna Polytechnic Senior Staff Quarters using Direct Current Electrical Resistivity method. The objectives were to determine different subsurface geoelectric layers, the aquifer units and the estimation of Transmissivity of the aquifer. Sixty-six Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were carried out using a maximum electrode separation of 200m.Data analysis and interpretation of the field curves by computer modeling proposes a distinctive 3-4 geoelectric layer situations. This includes the topmost layer which consists of laterite, river sand and gravel. This formation is followed in succession by clayey sand, weathered transition zone/ fractured layer and the fresh basement. Qualitative interpretation indicates that the weathered/fractured Basement constitutes the main aquifer unit. Aquifer resistivity range from 4.26 ohm-m to 755.3 ohm-m with maximum thickness of 52.25m. A maximum 55.52m depth- tobasement was obtained in the study area. Based on the model obtained, aquifer Transmissivity was calculated and was used to delineate the study area into prospective low and high groundwater potential zones. In order to test the reliability of the results, the calculated Transmissivity values were compared with those obtained from pumping test analysis, and a linear regression coefficient of 0.94 was obtained.
Highlights
Sabo area of the southern part of Kaduna metropolis has witness an upsurge in infrastructural development and in human population in recent years
The map plotted with Surfer shows that the aquifer is highly variable in thickness, being thinnest in the vicinity of Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) E7 with thickness value of 0.64m while VES D10 with a value of 55.52m forms the thickest point in the survey area
The interpretation of the VES data has enabled the derivation of four geologic units
Summary
Sabo area of the southern part of Kaduna metropolis has witness an upsurge in infrastructural development and in human population in recent years. The provision of potable water via metropolitan water supply scheme for the area is grossly inadequate for the needs of the people especially during the dry season. At this time of the year many rivers and streams in the area dry up and this creates problem of availability of water. Surface direct current (DC) resistivity measurements can provide rapid and effective techniques for aquifer characteristics evaluation. Works on these could be cited from previous studies (Niwas and Singhal, 1981; Mbonu et al, 1991; Dan- Hassan and Olorunfemi, 1999) Aquifer characteristics are important properties for determining the natural flow of water through aquifer, its response to fluid extracts, contaminants land assessments and for safe construction of civil engineering structures (Mbonu et al, 1991, Singh, 2005)
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