ABSTRACT
A geoelectric survey of groundwater potential was carried out in
the male hostel at Isa Kaita College of Education Dutsinma, Katsina
State Nigeria using ABEM SAS 300 Terrameter. The Wenner and Schlumberger
electrodes configurations were used for data acquisition. In the
process, four Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were conducted at
stations 01, 02, 03, and 04 covering the area. This was done in order to
determine: the variation in resistivity of the topsoil of the area, the
Depth and the thickness of the weathered basement, the depth and the
thickness of the Aquifer, the Depth to basement, and to establish areas
suitable for borehole development. The VES data obtained were
interpreted using ipi2win computer software which showed that the area
is composed mainly of three (3) layers, namely; the topsoil, weathered
basement, fractured basement. The weathered and fractured layers
constitute the aquiferous zone in all the stations. The results of the
interpreted VES data showed that the first layer has resistivity of the
topsoil varies from 18.2 to 172 Ωm with an average value of 95.1 Ωm. The
thickness of the weathered basement varied from 10.8 to 16.2 m with an
average value of 13.5m while depth to this layer varies from 10.8to27 m
with an average value of 24.3 m. The thickness of the fractured basement
varied from 16.2 to 2.14 m with an average value of 18.34 m, while
depth to this layer varies from 27m to 4.33m with an average value of
15.67 m. The thickness of the aquifer varied from 16.2mto 2.14 m with an
average value of 18.34 m, while depth to aquifer varies from 27 to
4.33m with an average value of 15.66 m. Depth to basement varies from 27
to 4.33m with an average value of 15.67 m. Based on the results, VES 01
has high potential for groundwater and are therefore recommended for
borehole establishment
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Water is useful natural resources that are not only essential for
the survival of mankind but also for the survival of the natural
environment. The availability of water has played a key role in
development of all civilizations. Indeed especially in the ancient
times, water scarcity prevents the development of settlement. Social
welfare and economic development may be hampered in the absence of
reliable water supplies. Water is essential to people and the largest
available source of fresh water lies underground. Increased demands for
water have stimulated development of underground water resources
(Afuwai, 2013). This is particularly true of sub-sahara and sahara
countries, such as Nigeria where water resources are extremely limited
and highly valued as a social and economics good. However water is
available in many forms such as ice caps, glaciers, ocean water, surface
water and groundwater.
Groundwater happens to be a more reliable source of water for over
half of the world population (Alabi,A.A.,R. Bello, A.S.Ogungbe and H.O.
Oyerinde, 2010). It is described by Otutu and Oviri (2010) as water
found in the saturated layers of soil and rocks. In other to explore
this natural resources for the benefit of sustaining life, various
geophysical survey has been employed successfully. These method include
electrical resistivity surveys, seismic refraction, electromagnetic,
gravity, magnetic and magneto telluric (Karami, B.,K.N.Dhumal,M. Golabi
and N. Jaafarzadeh, 2009; Majumdar and Das, 2011;Todd 2004). The choice
of method used depends largely on the depth of investigation and
sometimes cost (Todd, 2004; Majumdar and Das, 2011). Of all these method
used in exploring for groundwater, electrical resistivity profiling has
been the most widely used method (Molua and Eagbetere, 2005). This is
because the operation of the field instrument is uncomplicated and the
analysis of data is less unwidely and economical. Geo-electrical
resistivity has been developed greatly and has become an important
instrument in hydrological studies, mineral prospecting and mining as
well as in environment and engineering application. (Alile , 2011;
Griffiths and baker, 1993; Dahlin and loke., 1996). This underlying
principle of measuring substance variation using electrical resistivity
within the earth was developed by Schlumberger who conducted the first
experiment in the field of Normandy and the same idea was also developed
by frank Werner in the United States of America. This geo-electrical
resistivity method has been found useful in locating groundwater in
fissured rock, mapping of plumes, mapping of boundaries of saline
groundwater and exploration of geothermal fluids. However;
geo-electrical resistivity surveys have undergo significant changes in
the last three decades. The traditional horizontal layering technique
for investigating geo-electrical resistivity data are rapidly being
replaced with 2-dimentional and 3-dimentional models of interpretation
especially in complex and heterogeneous subsurface media. Field
techniques have advanced from manual measurements made at separate and
independent points to the use of automated machine called terrameter
with multi-electrode array along the measurement profile. Till 1980s,
data acquisition was more or less carried out manually and this is
demanding slowly and the quality of the measured data is poor. Therefore
range of fast automated multi-electrode and multichannel data
acquisition system now exists that follows flexibility in the
acquisition of geo-electrical resistivity data. (Barker, 1981; Stummer
and Maurer, 2001; Auken et al., 2006).As a result of these successful
applications of electrical resistivity method over the years in
groundwater exploration, this prompted the researcher to adopt
Electrical resistivity method to carried out investigation on
groundwater potential at male student resident at the Isa Kaita College
of Education and geological structure of the sturdy area.