An appraisal of subsurface geology and groundwater resources of Owerri and environs based on electrical resistivity survey and borehole data evaluation

The research was aimed at determining the depth to the water table, aquifer thickness and subsurface geology of the study area thus revealing its groundwater distribution as well as its potential as a substitute to the surface water resources. Vertical electrical soundings were carried out in the st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental monitoring and assessment 2001-09, Vol.70 (3), p.303-321
Main Authors: IBE, K. M, UZOUKWU, S. C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Aquifers
Boreholes
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Electric Conductivity
Electrical resistivity
Electrodes
Environmental monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Fresh Water
Geological Phenomena
Geology
Geophysics: general, magnetic, electric and thermic methods and properties
Gravel
Groundwater
Humans
Hydrogeology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Internal geophysics
Lithologic logs
Nigeria
Specific yield
Storage coefficient
Surface water
Transmissivity
Water resources
Water Supply - analysis
Water table
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Summary:The research was aimed at determining the depth to the water table, aquifer thickness and subsurface geology of the study area thus revealing its groundwater distribution as well as its potential as a substitute to the surface water resources. Vertical electrical soundings were carried out in the study area with maximum electrode spread. The Schlumberger electrode configuration technique was adopted. VES data were processed using Schlumberger analysis package. Lithologic logs of already existing boreholes in the study area were collected, evaluated and comparison were carried out. The results reveal alternating layers of sands, sandstones, gravel and clay. The lithologic logs revealed that the study area is underlain by coastal sands (Benin formation). The water table varies from 10-64 m and thickness of the aquifer ranges from 20-80 m. Results show that the study area is underlain by a thick extensive aquifer that has a transmissivity of 2.8 x 10(-2) m2 s(-1) to 3.3 x 10(-1) m2 s(-1) and storativity 1.44 x 10(-4) to 1.68 x 10(-3) m s(-1) values. The specific yield is about 0.31. The sandy component of the study area forms more than 90% of the sequence, therefore the permeability, the transmissivity and the storage coefficient are high with an excellent source of groundwater resources.
ISSN:0167-6369
1573-2959
DOI:10.1023/A:1010783426570