Geoelectrical Investigation of Groundwater Potential at Proposed Staff Quarters of FCE Technical, Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Geoelectric investigation was carried out at proposed staff quarters of FCE, Technical Gusau, located along Gusau – Zaria highway, Zamfara State, Nigeria with the aim of delineating the groundwater potentials. The study area lies in the Basement Complex region of Northern Nigeria and it is situated on Latitude 12o819.64”N to 12o08’24.65’’N and longitude 06o43’28.65’’E to 06o43’37.25’’E with an area coverage of 500 m by 500 m. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) technique was employed using Schlumberger array pattern. A total of thirty-six (36) VES points were sounded on Six (6) grided profiles(A-F) separated by 100 m apart with inter VES spacing of 100 m, The VES results depict two distinct curve types namely; H-type and A-type. The results also reveal three distinct geoelectric layers: the top layer, weathered/fractured layer and fresh basement. The top layer has resistivity, depth and thickness range of 10.4 – 158.8 Ωm, 0.4 – 3.6 m and 0.4 – 3.6 m respectively. The second layer has ranges of: resistivity, 6.3 – 525.3 Ωm; depth, 1.4 – 20.8 m, and thickness, 1.0 – 20.4 m. The third layer has resistivity values range of 278.6 – 2726.5 Ωm, its depth and thickness are not defined (to infinity). Seven VES stations (A3, A4, B4, C3, E2, F2 and F5) were delineated for groundwater potential having weathered/fractured resistivity varying between 37.4 and 121.1 Ωm. Depths range were found from 7.9 – 20.8 m and thickness varying between 6.6 and 20.4 m. The results of the study implies that the area has a good groundwater potentials.