Geophysical Study of Clay Deposit Properties in Agbor Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Schlumberger array of vertical electrical sounding (VES) was carried out to study properties of clay deposit in Agbor Area of Delta State, Nigeria, geophysically. These properties include depth, thickness and nature of soil material above it. The need to prospect or search for clay deposits became inevitable so as to solve the problem of youth restivesness in the area by way of setting up industry in Agbor that rely on clay for manufacture purposes. Ten (10) VES, uniformly distributed in six different stations in Agbor was carried out using six (06) points per decade with maximum current electrode spacing of 928.0m. The software IP12WIN utilizing computer iteration was used for interpretation of apparent resistivities data. The result of the resistivity survey showed that clay and clayey soil (clay mixed with other rock types) are present. The depths and  thicknesses of each clay formation was then ascertained. Depth to probable clay formations varied from 0m to 85m while the thicknesses varied from 1.01m to 6.93m Area of probable clay formations and their thicknesses have been identified especially for future mining of industries foundation, operations and drilling.

Key words: schlumberger array, vertical electrical sounding, clay, Agbor, resistivity survey, industry.