Geophysical investigation of groundwater potential, aquifer parameters, and vulnerability: a case study of Enugu State College of Education (Technical)

Abstract

This study was carried out employing vertical electrical sounding (VES) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) with the objective of evaluating the groundwater potential and vulnerability. The study involves a total of seven VES and three ERT profiles employing Schlumberger and Wenner electrodes’ configuration, respectively. The data were analyzed both manually and with WinResist and RES2DINV software packages. The results revealed the variation of resistivity across the study area within the maximum current penetration. The aquifer resistivity and thickness range from 6.2 to 204.2 Ω m and 18.2 to 56.4 m, respectively. The estimated parameters (longitudinal conductance, transverse resistance, hydraulic conductivity, and transmissivity) range: 0.003–0.02 Ω−1, 141.68–575.77 Ω m2, 2.71–70.45 m/day, and 49.23–3973.28 m2/day, respectively. It was observed that the groundwater potential is good in the study area and the protective capacity determine from the estimated longitudinal conductance showed poor protective capacity across the study area, indicating high vulnerability. The poor protective capacity renders the aquifer vulnerable to contamination and this is a major threat to groundwater in the study area.