Investigation of groundwater flow potential in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria, using surficial electrical resistivity method

Abstract

Vertical electrical sounding (VES) employing Schlumberger electrode configuration was carried out in order to study the groundwater flow potential in Makurdi, north central Nigeria. This was done in thirty locations to determine the aquifer resistivity, thickness, longitudinal conductance, hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity. From the result, the averages and ranges of these parameters were determined. 2D contour maps of aquifer resistivity, aquifer thickness, longitudinal conductance, hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity were drawn. The distribution of thickness and transmissivity maps provided a means of identifying areas where aquiferous zone is prolific. The classification of the groundwater potential shows 3.3% very low, 26.7% low, 66.7% moderate and 3.3% high potentials. Knowledge of hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity is necessary for the determination of groundwater flow potential through an aquifer.

Keywords: Aquifer resistivity, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, longitudinal conductance, vertical electrical sounding, thickness, Makurdi.