The Use of Combined Geophysical Survey Methods for Groundwater Investigation in a Typical Basement Complex Terrain: Case Study of Erunmu, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

A combined Survey involving the very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF – EM) and Electrical resistivity surveys were carried out in order to appraise the groundwater potential, and locate appropriate positions for sighting boreholes in Erunmu Community, Egbeda local government area, Oyo State, Nigeria. VLF data were obtained along five traverses as the first step in order to locate suitable vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations. Vertical Electrical Soundings using Schlumberger array were thereafter carried out at twenty 20) locations. The integrated interpretation of both data confirms the presence of aquifers, which includes, weathered zone and basement transition/fractures beneath the area, which prior to this investigation have a history of failed boreholes and wells. The resistivity curve types obtained includes H and A which revealed the presence of 3 to 4 subsurface layers consisting of topsoil, the clay, the sandy clay, fractured zone and the highly resistive bedrock. The resulting geo-electric section from the interpretation revealed the Reflection coefficient which ranges from 0.45 – 0.98. The dominated curve type in the area investigated is the H which is typical of basement complex while the A-type is about 20% of the total curves. Hydrogeological, the topsoil is not important because the degree of water saturation in this layer is very low and cannot be utilized for groundwater. The fractured basement layer (which is present in less than 15% of the study area is very relevant in groundwater prospecting; when it is thick enough the layer could support borehole drilling. Areas identified as geological interfaces in the VLF anomaly charts were also confirmed by the interpreted VES data as poor and intermediate zones for groundwater potential in the study area. The significance of this study is such that it will serve as a useful reference for future research efforts in the aspect of basement complex groundwater studies.