Hydrogeophysical investigation for the aquifers in part of Ilorin, Central Nigeria: Implication on groundwater prospect

Abstract

Hydrogeophysical study involving the use of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) was carried out in part of the basement complex rocks of Ilorin, central Nigeria, with the aim of determining its geoelectric parameters and groundwater potential. A total of thirty (30) VES were carried out using Schlumberger electrode configuration, with half electrode separation (AB/2) varying from 1m to 100m. Information on the subsurface lithologies, overburden thickness and aquiferous layers were obtained from the different VES locations in the study area. From the quantitative interpretations of the data collected, using the method of curve matching with the Orellana-Mooney master curves and 1-D forward modeling with WinResist 1.0 version software, three to five lithologic units were identified in the study. These include: the topsoil, sandy/lateritic clay/laterite, the weathered basement, the fractured basement and the fresh bedrock which are predominantly of the ‘KH’ curve type (30%), followed by ‘H’ type (26.7%), other type curves include ‘QH’ (16.7%), ‘HKH’, ‘HA’ and ‘A’ (6.7% each) and KQ and KQH (3.3% each). The weathered layer and the fractured basement constitute the main aquifer units. The aquifers are of generally low resistivity values (mostly below 100 Ω-m). The depths to dry bedrock at the chosen VES locations vary from 2.7 to 62.7 m with a mean value of 13.02 m in the study area. The geoelectrical interpretations of data obtained in these areas have permitted the delineation of the study area into low and moderate groundwater potential zones. This study is expected to assist in future planning for groundwater resources.

Keywords: Hydrogeophysical, Basement Complex, Groundwater, Electrical Soundings, Weathered, Fractured