Application of Integrated Geophysical Methods in Groundwater Exploration in Adamawa State University, Mubi

Abstract

Mubi area falls within the Hawal Precambrian basement terrain where groundwater occurs within the overburden, fractures and weathered basement. In this area a lot of boreholes were drilled and failed due to the geology and ambiguity in geophysical data interpretation. Based on these challenges and the increase in population of students on campus necessitated the application of integrated geophysical methods to investigate groundwater potentials in Adamawa State University Mubi campus. The survey is to locate potential areas for borehole drilling. The method employed are Audio Magnetic Telluric (ADMT 600S-X) with powerful software ZondMT 1D and   Electrical resistivity with IXD interpex software for data interpretation. The technique has provided information on the subsurface lithology & structures up to 300 m deep (Passive). While the electrical resistivity is an active geophysical method, this was used to confirm the potential areas identify by magnetotelluric profiles. In this study forty three (43) profiles were sounded using the magnetotelluric in which only nine (9) profiles indicates potential for groundwater. The nine (9) profiles were later confirmed with electrical resistivity method, this is to validate the results obtained from ADMT 600S-X. The results obtained are as follows: ADMT 600S-X for the nine (9) profile are;185 m, 210-300 m, 210 m, 210-300 m, 175 m, 195-300 m, 190-270 m, 215-300 m and 185 m and results from RESISTIVITY for VES (1-9) are; 150 m, 200-400 m, 300 m, 210-300 m, 180 m, 180m, 200 m, 250 m and 215. The study shows that the groundwater occurrence in  the  study area  is  confined  to over burden, fractured and weathered zones.  The results obtained from both case correlate well and these nine (9) points are recommended for drilling borehole to alleviate water scarcity on campus for students.