Geoelectric Investigation: An Index for the Location of Fishpond Sites in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The sites of some existing fish ponds were investigated using the electrical resistivity method in Delta State during the wet and dry seasons of 2005. Ponds constructed in areas with clay of depths,0.90-4.00m,and of thicknesses,4.7-30.6m, were able to retain water in both dry and wet seasons, while in areas with no such shallow and thick clay but thick shallow sand, the ponds were unable to retain water in the dry season but only in the wet season. In Olomoro (southern region), Igbide, Owhe and Kokori earth ponds were used while tanks were used in Obiaruku and Agbarha-Otor for fish farming. The usefulness of vertical electrical sounding (VES) for selecting fish pond sites has been discussed.

Keywords: Geoelectric- Investigation-clay layers- thickness - depth - Fish Pond Site - Delta State.

> Tropical Freshwater Biology Vol. 15 2006: pp. 23-34