Geoelectrical Investigation of Subsurface Structures for Mapping Groundwater Potential of Joseph Ayo Babalola University Campus Environment, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Owing to fast increase in number of staff and students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Southwestern Nigeria, it is therefore very important to carry out this research in order to recommend the actual locations where boreholes can be sunk for good potential yields of groundwater when the time comes. The aim of this research is to carry out vertical electrical sounding geophysical survey at study area with a view to determining good aquifers that are good for the accumulation of groundwater. The study area is located between latitude 0820225 m to 0820345 m (UTM) Northings and longitude 717320 m to 717450 m (UTM) Eastings. Schlumberger electrode array was employed for the study using Ohmega Resistivity meter for the data acquisition. The geoelectric survey of the study area comprised of twelve vertical electrical soundings, with maximum current electrode spacing (AB) of 100 m. The modeled curves are mainly KH-type. The geoelectric sections generated from the sounding curves revealed 4 major layers earth models. The topsoil is made up of clay, clayey sand/lateritic sand with resistivity and thicknesses varying from 54.7 – 210.1ohm-m and 0.2 –0.8m respectively. The second layer is the lateritic clay with resistivities and thicknesses varying from 334 – 963ohm-m and 1.5 – 10.8m respectively. The third layer constitutes the clay / sandy fractured quartzite and it serves as the aquifer unit. The resistivity values lie between 71.7 and 498 ohm-m while the thicknesses vary from 2.1 – 76.3 m. The fourth layer is the fractured/presumably fresh basement bedrock with the resistivity varying from 1879 – 13991.8 ohm-m. Areas characterized with fractured basement of low resistivity with appreciable thickness are therefore recommended for the siting of boreholes. It is concluded that the vertical electrical sounding points of the study area are good aquifers for groundwater accumulation.