Integrated geophysical methods and techniques for siting productive boreholes in basement complex terrain of southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Electrical resistivity survey involving 2D Dipole-Dipole subsurface imaging and 1D Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and an integrated magnetic and electrical resistivity survey involving magnetic profiling and 1D VES/2D electrical imaging techniques were carried out at two sites underlain by grey gneiss and pegmatised schist, respectively, within the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The surveys were carried out with a view to delineating the subsurface layers and determining the geoelectrical characteristics; identify geological structures such as faults, fractured, jointed and sheared basement zones that are favourable to groundwater accumulation and transmission and estimate hydrogeologically significant borehole drill depth in an area with previous experience of failed borehole drilling attempts. At the two sites (A&B) investigated, the 2D resistivity images identified suspected fractured basement zones as low resistivity vertical discontinuities within high resistivity fresh basement host rock. The magnetic profiles at site B displayed typical magnetic anomaly of a thick dyke (two magnetic lows with central high in low magnetic latitude) over each vertical resistivity discontinuity. The follow-up VES delineated maximum of five subsurface layers which include the topsoil/laterite, weathered layer, partly weathered/fresh basement, fractured basement and the fresh basement. The weathered/fractured basement constitutes the main aquifer unit with thicknesses varying from 17.7 - 125 m. Two boreholes, one per site, were drilled to 80 m at site A and 70 m at site B. Both boreholes encountered the predicted fractured basement zones and the borehole logs correlated well with the interpretation models of the drilled VES locations. The boreholes were very productive (yields of about 1.5 l/s and 2.2 l/s at sites A & B respectively). The study demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated geophysical methods and techniques in providing information on the subsurface sequence and the structural disposition required for a successful groundwater development through borehole drilling, in a borehole-failure-prone basement complex terrain.

Keywords: Integrated Geophysical Methods, Geophysical Techniques, Productive Borehole, Basement Complex Terrain