Paper
Application of Resistivity Methods to Groundwater Protection Studies in Niger Delta
- Authors:
- Luke Ikechukwu Mamah; Kizito Ejiro Aweto
- Abstract
- A resistivity investigation was carried out in order to provide information on the subsurface layers and characterization of the protective capacity of overburden units to groundwater in Egbeleku, a community where a proposed landfill will be sited by Shell Petroleum Development Company. Fifteen vertical electrical soundings (VES) using the Schlumberger electrode configuration and one azimuthal resistivity sounding (ARS) were carried out. Results of the resistivity survey indicated mainly four geoelectric layers; top soil, clayey sand/sandy clay, clay and sand. The fourth layer constitute the groundwater aquifer which was determined to be confined by the third ubiquitous layer constituted by clays with thickness varying from 11.0 – 42.2 m and sandy clay/clayey sand of about 30.2 – 44.0 m thick. The longitudinal conductance map showed that the area has moderate to good protective capacity as a result of the thick clay, sandy clay and clayey sand protecting the groundwater in the aquifer. The location of the landfill site is in the region of groundwater discharge rather than a recharge region as indicated by azimuthal resistivity sounding and groundwater head contour map which showed that groundwater flow direction is SW – NE towards the proposed landfill area. Hence, the groundwater in this area is sufficiently protected.
- Keywords
- Contaminants; Protective Layers; Landfill; Leachates; Residence Time; Geoelectric Horizon
- StartPage
- 27
- EndPage
- 35
- Doi