Evaluation of Groundwater Potentials Using Dar Zarrouk Parameters in Mapeo and Environs, North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater is the safest and most reliable source of water in crystalline basement complex terrain especially those associated with semi-arid to arid regions. This research is aim at evaluating the groundwater potentials of Mapeo and its environs, The study area is located between latitudes 8◦ 37'and 8◦ 45' N and longitudes 12◦21'and 12◦32' E. Thirty-five Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points were surveyed using the Schlumberger array. The analysis of the VES conducted revealed four layered formations; Sandy clay to slightly weathered, fractured, and basement rocks. The aquifer units in the study area varied from highly weathered and fractured basement rocks. Dar-Zarrouk parameters such as the longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance revealed values that ranged from 0.0842 to 1.5926Ω with an average value of 0.5767Ω and 1107.235 to 8910.410Ωm² with an average value of 4167.902 Ωm² respectively. For the aquifer properties, empirical formulae based on grain size analysis were used to determine hydraulic conductivity which ranges from 1.01X 10^-9 to 9.82X 10-6m/day with an average value of 2.176x10^-3m/day, the hydraulic conductivity determined from geophysical method range from 1.833 to 17.525m/day with an average value of 7.2182x10^-3m/day while transmissivity values range from 47.657 to 779.724 m²/day with an average of 289.113 m²/day. Groundwater potential zones were determined based on transmissivity values and classified the area into low, moderate, and high potentials.