Application of Electrical Resistivity Method to Decipher Groundwater Occurrence Status at Isikuku, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Electrical resistivity method is a type of geophysical survey employed for groundwater investigation, conducted in Isikuku Community in Benin City, Edo state with the aim of delineating groundwater occurrence. Schlumberger electrode array configuration was employed in this study. Six (6) VES points were surveyed with linearised inversion technique used for the interpretation of sounding taken at various locations in the area. The data collected were interpreted by curved matching and computer iteration using Interpex Ix1D v 2 software. From the geoelectric section, VES 1 possess the AK curve with four layers ρ1˂ρ2˂ρ3˃ρ4, VES 2 possess the KQ curve with four layers ρ1˂ρ2˃ρ3˃ρ4, VES 3 possess the A curve with three layers ρ1˂ρ2˂ρ3, VES 4 possess the AK curve with four layers ρ1˂ρ2˂ρ3˃ρ4, VES 5 possess the A curve with three layers ρ1˂ρ2˂ρ3, VES 6 possess the K curve with three layers ρ1˂ρ2˃ρ3. Geo-electrical layers identified in the study area included topsoil, sandy clay, clay basement and sandstone. The VES study revealed the layer which constitute the productive water-bearing zones referred to as good groundwater potential aquifers. The analysis of the interpretation of the field data showed that the area under investigation delineated four layers earth in each of the vertical electrical sounding point. Generally, the geoelectric survey conducted in the study area revealed the subsurface lithologies: Clay, Clayey Sandstone, Sand stone, Coarse Sand, Lateritic soil and Top soil. Thus, vertical electrical sounding techniques employed in this study has proved useful and successful in delineating subsurface lithology in the study area.