Geophysical assessment of aquifer vulnerability and management: a case study of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Abstract

Seventeen vertical electrical soundings and seven electrical resistivity tomography profiles were carried out at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study involves the use of Schlumberger and Wenner electrodes configuration. The thrust of this work is on determining the vulnerability of the hydrogeological units by employing the aquifer vulnerability index (AVI) method. The resistivity data measured were interpreted manually and with computer software packages, which gave the resistivity, depth and thickness for each layer within the maximum current electrodes separation. The hydraulic conductivity (K) and hydraulic resistance (C) of the protective layers estimated from the primary parameters estimated have values ranging from 0.0434 to 0.4890 m day −1 and 38.37 to 1005.84 day −1 , respectively. AVI of the study shows that the study area is characterised by low to high AVI with moderate AVI as dominant. This is to help in delineating aquifer protective zones and also possible locations, which further helps in groundwater resource exploration and management.

Vulnerability assessment of hydrogeologic units in parts of Enugu North, Southeastern Nigeria, using integrated electrical resistivity methods

“…The southern parts of the study. The variation of hydraulic conductivity parameter indicates the existence of clay stone argillites below the surface and characterizes the changing behavior of an aquifer to allow groundwater to pass through the protective layers (37) . https://www.indjst.org/ The hydraulic resistance is the key parameter in quantifying groundwater vulnerability which indicates the protective capacity of the aquifer layer.…”

“…Researchers have employed the electrical resistivity method in characterizing groundwater problems related to aquifer potentiality to yield water (4) , (16) , (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) and contamination by delineating vulnerable zones, migration and the extent of contamination (11) , (4,(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34) . AVI has also been employed to quantify the aquifer vulnerability of an area and has been proven to be simple, faster and is widely used by researchers (35)(36)(37) . The use of electrical resistivity method is very important in environmental monitoring and assessment.…”

Aquifer Vulnerability: Its Protection and Management—A Case Study in Pangkalpinang City, Indonesia

“…Increased anthropogenic activity in urban areas will increase vulnerability of existing groundwater resources [2]. Anthropogenic wastes will threaten groundwater quality and quantity [3].…”

“…In hydrogeological systems, this layer is commonly referred to as aquitard, aquiclude, or aquifuge layer [12]. Obiora and Ibuot [2] and Van Stempvoort et al [11] refer to this layer as the protective layer of the aquifer. This research used the geoelectric method to get the value of aquifer thickness.…”

“…This threat will greatly increase if the system does not have a good protective layer of the aquifer [12]. In urban areas, vertical percolation is a threat to groundwater [2].…”