OJAS v2n4 2

Ozean Journal of Social Sciences 2(4), 2009
Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(4), 2009

ISSN 1943-2429
© 2009 Ozean Publication
ELECTROMAGNETIC PROFILING AND ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY

SOUNDINGS IN GROUNDWATER INVESTIGATION OF A TYPICAL
BASEMENT COMPLEX – A CASE STUDY OF ODA TOWN SOUTHWESTERN
NIGERIA.
Adiat, K. A. N; Olayanju, G. M, Omosuyi G.O. And Ako B.D.

E-mail for correspondence: adiatnafiu@yahoo.co.uk.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract : Integrated geophysical techniques involving VLF – EM and the Electrical Resistivity Sounding
methods have been used to map Oda town with a view to determine the groundwater potential of the town.
The qualitative interpretation of VLF – EM results identified areas of hydro-geologic importance and form
basis for Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) investigation. Thirty-nine Vertical Electrical soundings (VES)
were carried out across the area using the Schlumberger electrode array configuration, with half-current
electrode separation (AB/2) varying from 1m to 100m.
The geoelectric sections obtained from the sounding curves revealed 2-layer, 3-layer and 4-layer earth
models respectively. The 2-layer model with 7.7 percentage of occurrence occurs where the depth-to-
bedrock is very shallow. The 3-layer (61.5%) and 4-layer (30.8%) models show the subsurface layers
categorized into the topsoil, partially weathered/ weathered/fractured layers and the fresh bedrock.
The weathered basement and fractured basement are the aquifer types delineated for the area.
On the basis of geoelectric parameters the study area is zoned into good, intermediate and poor
groundwater potential zones.
Key Words : Very Low Frequency –Electromagnetic (VLF-EM), Electrical Resistivity, Aquifer,
Groundwater Potential, Depth-to-bedrock.
______________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Rapid industrialization recently witnessed by the Akure metropolis has resulted in population increase and
has resulted in urbanization of satellite villages and settlements of which the ancient Oda settlement is one
(Figure 1).
The people of Oda depend solely on surface water from streams and hand dug wells for their domestic use.
However, these sources of water are highly vulnerable to pollution thereby making the people to be
susceptible to water borne diseases. Furthermore, rapid population growth of Oda occasioned by the influx
of people from nearly congested city of Akure has also made these sources of water inadequate for its
dwellers, and the need for good quality and readily available portable groundwater in this area forms the
basis for this research.
Oda town is underlying by Basement Complex rocks of the southwestern Nigeria and groundwater in this
environment is usually contained in the weathered and/or fractured basement rocks or alluvial deposits
within flood plains as mentioned by some authors among whom are Wright (1992) and Olorunfemi and
Fasuyi (1993).
333
The basement aquifers are often limited in extent both laterally and vertically (Satpathy and Kanugo, 1976).
This discontinuous nature of the basement aquifer system makes detailed knowledge of the subsurface
geology, its weathering depth and structural disposition through geological and geophysical investigations
inevitable.
Geophysical survey involving electrical resistivity, gravity, seismic and electromagnetic methods
constitutes the most reliable means, outside direct mechanical drilling, through which basement structures
such as ancient river channels, basement depressions and fractured zones that are of hydrogeological
significance can be mapped (Eaton and Watkins, 1970; Vanderberghe, 1982). However, the most
commonly applied geophysical technique for ancient river channel exploration is the electrical resistivity
method (Minasian, 1979). This is a consequence of the usually significant resistivity contrast between the
deposit within the channel and the underlying bedrock (Ako and Olorunfemi, 1989).
The Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic (VLF – EM) method has found useful application in
groundwater investigation in basement terrain, most especially as a reconnaissance tool (Amadi and
Nurudeen, 1990; Olorunfemi et. al., 1995).
Figure 1: Geological map of the study area [After Geological Survey of Nigeria (GSA), sheet 61, 1964]
334
This method of geophysical prospecting was primarily developed for the delineation of sheet – like metallic
conductors, which are often concentrated within fault and fracture zones which are known to be good
groundwater aquifers, particularly when the fracture frequency is high (Olorunfemi et. al., 1995). The
technique may be applied indirectly to the location of sites with appreciably thick overburden to the
mapping of geological structures such as fault and fracture zones that are favourable to groundwater
accumulation (McNeil, 1980; Palacky et. al., 1981; Olorunfemi et. al., 1995).
In this work, integrated geophysical mapping of Oda town was carried out using both VLF-EM and
electrical resistivity prospecting techniques with a view to evaluating its groundwater potential and
ultimately recommend the appropriate way of providing adequate and good quality water for the people of
the area.
SITE DESCRIPTION AND GEOLOGY

Oda town is located southeast of Akure, and lies within latitude 7 o 10' 6'' N to 7o 10' 43'' N, and longitude 5o
13' 6'' E to 5o 14' 18'' E (Figure 1). The topography is very gentle, with surface elevations ranging from
327.5m to 342.5m above sea level. The geologic setting of the area is typical of the Migmatite gneiss
complex rocks of the Precambrian Basement Complex of southwestern Nigeria (Rahaman, 1976),
comprising of undifferentiated granite, Charnokitic rocks, medium to coarse granite and Migmatite gneiss
rocks (Figure 1). Only Migmatite gneiss was mapped in Oda. The migmatite gneiss rocks around the study
area is extensively weathered and fractured, with prominent direction of foliation lying between 178 o and
182o with easterly dips of 46o and 102o.
The aquifer units in the area and other similar Basement complex environment are believed to be derived
essentially from the weathered rocks (Bala and Onugba, 2001; Olayinka and Olayiwola, 2001). The
weathered profile developed above the crystalline basement rocks in low latitude regions where the study
area lies has been documented to comprise, from top to bottom, the soil layer, the saprolite (i.e., the product
of the in situ chemical weathering of the bedrock), fractured bedrock and fresh bedrock (Olayinka and
Olayiwola, 2001).
The vegetation in the study area is of rainforest type, characterized by short dry season and a long wet
season, with high annual rainfall of about 1,300mm. Annual mean temperature is between 18 oC and 33oC
with relatively high humidity (NIMET, 2007).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Electromagnetic VLF-EM Survey

The VLF-EM geophysical method is a quick and powerful tool for the study of shallow conducting
lineament features in the near surface earth (Telford et. al., 1977). The method is based on measurement of
the secondary magnetic field induced in local conductors by primary electromagnetic fields generated by
powerful military radio transmitter in the very low frequency range (15 – 25 KHz).
The instrument employed for this survey was the ABEM WADI, which measures the in-phase (Real) and
quadrature (Imaginary) components of the induced vertical magnetic field as a percentage of the horizontal
primary field. The VLF measurements were made along seven traverses, using the existing roads and
footpaths with orientation at high angles to the direction of the transmitter, with station intervals of 20m
(Figure 2).
The raw real, R (in phase) and the imaginary, I (quadrature) components were measured on the field. The
raw real VLF data were converted with the aid of an in-built filtering program provided in the ABEM
WADI equipment as well as a software package (KHFfilt Version 1.0, Pirttijärvi 2004), into filtered Real
data in which anomaly inflections appear as peak positive anomalies and false VLF anomaly infections as
negative anomalies (Reynolds, 1977) of the profiles.
335
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o 5 14 38 E
5 14 28 E
Fr
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7 10 42.24 E 7 10 42.24 E
A
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Sch
V3
V1Saw Mill
V2
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V21
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V22 V23
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LEGEND
V9
EM
V20 V27
V28
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Road/EM Profiles
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3
VES position
V29
V11 V7 V8
P/S
Police station
V38 V10 GPM
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EM Profile 4
V19
EM Profile 7
V13
5
V12 V14
V6
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V18
V24
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V37 V36
V35 V34
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V15
V16
V39 V17
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ile
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V31
EM
V30
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7 10 4.8 E 7 10 4.8 E
o o
5 14 28 E 0m 200m 400m 600m 5 14 38 E
Figure 2: Location map of the study area showing the VES points and VLF-EM profiles
336
Electrical Resistivity Survey

The equipment employed for the resistivity field data measurements is the RD–50 resistivity meter. Thirty-
nine vertical electrical soundings were conducted in all, using the conventional Schlumberger technique,
with half electrode spacing (AB/2) varying from 1 to 100m.
The Vertical Electrical Resistivity Soundings were conducted at selected locations based on the results
obtained from the VLF surveys. The VES data presented as depth sounding curves were inverted with the
aid of computer aided iteration curve matching techniques using Resist Version 1.0 (Vander Velpen, 1988).
The results of the quantitative interpretation of the VES data are summarized in table 1.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
VLF – EM Profiles and Map

The plots of raw real (quadrature) measured on the field and the filtered real are presented as profiles
(Figures 3a-9a) while their corresponding Karous-Hiljet (K-H) pseudo sections are shown in Figures 3b-9b
respectively. The interpretation of both the profiles and pseudo sections was basically qualitative or semi
quantitative.
Figure 3a shows the raw and filtered real profiles along traverse 1. Several positive peaks mapped as
fractures (e.g., F2 and F4 at distances 145m and 300m respectively) on the filtered real are shown. These
points are zones of interest in groundwater abstraction in basement complex terrain.
Figure 3b shows the corresponding K-H pseudo section of the profile. The pseudo section is a measure of
conductivity of the subsurface as a function of depth. The conductivity is shown as colour codes with
conductivity increasing from left to right (i.e. from negative to positive). Different features of varying
degree of conductivity trending in different directions were delineated on the section, for instance, between
stations 10 and 50, a highly conductive body at an approximate depth of 25m is shown. Similarly, between
stations 100 and 150m and between stations 220 and 270m, linear conductive bodies trending in SW-NE
and NW-SE directions respectively are indicated.
337
Table 1: Summary of the geoelectric parameters over the study area.

Geoeletric Curve VES Layer Layer Number of Percentage Layer Resistivity Thickness Characteristic Lithology
earth layer Type Num Resistivity Thickness Occurrence of Occurrence Range Range
model type (Ohm-m) (%) (Ohm-m)
(m) (m)
2-Layer A 9 44,2588 12.7 3 7.69 1 17-216 1.2-12.7 Topsoil (Clayey to sandy)
19 17;1039 1.2;
27 216,2151 5.2 2 1039-2588 Fresh Bedrock
3-Layer A 7 34,81,2713 9.4,14.3 5 12.82 1 21-895 0.7-9.4 Topsoil (Clayey to Lateritic
sand)
8 21,61,606 2.3,12.8
16 43,86,1238 1,12 2 25-206 1.5-15.3 Clayey to Sandy Clayey
17 71,326,4062 0.9,6
18 36,138,632 0.7,1.5 3 606-5408 Fresh Bedrock
H 3 549,158,25825 5.4,6.8 19 48.72 1 57-1119 0.6-5.4 Topsoil (Clayey to Lateritic
sand)
4 75,55,4446 0.8,10.5
6 62,20,1383 1.3,4.2
10 57,36,3509 1.6,7.4
12 276,198,950 0.9,12.1 2 20-345 2.9-30.7 Weathered Bedrock
13 131,68,1150 0.6,10.4
15 92,64,871 1.1,15.3 3 691-25825 Fractured/Fresh Bedrock
22 663,65,3189 1.4,9.6
25 895,81,1207 1.4,6.8
28 316,206,1632 2.8,3.8
29 1119,345,1695 4.3,2.9
30 289,177,1625 0.7,4.0
31 444,183,2627 2.9,6.5
32 573,68,691 2.5,6.5
33 384,212,1082 0.6,30.7
34 242,49,2705 0.8,12.2
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36 250,85,4413 1.1,13.9
37 234,58,1879 0.6,10.3
38 62,25,5408 2.7,4.7
Table 1 Cont’.
Geoeletric Curve VES Resistivity Thickness Number of Percentage Layer Resistivity Thickness Characteristic Lithology
earth layer Type Num (Ohm-m) Occurrence of Occurrence Range Range
(m)
model type (%) (Ohm-m)
(m)
4-layer KH 1 287,543,90,2036 1, 1.5, 8.4 7 17.95 1 28-313 0.3-1.4 Topsoil (Clayey to sandy)
2 313,3619,210,2726 0.4,0.3,16.7 2 171-3619 0.3-19.3 Sandy to Lateritic Sand

layer
5 28,274,50,559 1.4,11.8,3
11 108,973,411,2020 5.9,7 3 50-411 3.0-16.7 Weathered/Fractured
Bedrock
14 45,171,60,5622 0.8,19.3,5.5
26 308,507,53,2701 0.8,1,3.4 4 559-6897 Fractured Bedrock/ Fresh
Bedrock
39 128,213,152,6897 0.6,5.8,8.6
QH 20 409,238,74,5645 0.4,3.6,8.2 5 12.82 1 133-671 0.4-0.6 Topsoil (Clayey to Lateritic
sand)
21 489,382,231,3766 0.5,2.2,21.1 2 169-506 0.9-5.6 Sandy to Lateritic Sand
layer
23 133,169,24,6495 0.6,0.9,4.7 3 24-231 4.7-21.1 Weathered/Fractured
Bedrock
24 671,506,179,2572 0.6,3.7,6.5
35 670,311,145,1232 0.4,5.6,12.7 4 1232-6495 Fresh Bedrock
339
[a]
40
VLF-EM Profile 1
Raw Real Data
Fraser Filtered Data
20
F1 F4
F2 F3 F5
Response (%)
0 NE
-20
SW
-40
0 100 200 300 400

Distance (m)
[b]
VES 2 VES 3
VES 22 VES 21 VES 1
Figure 3: [a] VLF-EM profile along traverse 1, and [b] Karous and Hjelt Pseudo Section of the Inverted
VLF-EM Real component of the Profile.
340
[a]
40
F1 VLF -E M Profile 2
Ra w re al d ata
20 F ra se r filte re d da ta
F3
F2
Response (%)
SW
0 NE
-2 0
-4 0
0 50 1 00 1 50 20 0
D is ta n ce (m )
[b]
VES 5
VES 26
Figure 4: [a] VLF-EM profile along traverse 2, and [b] Karous and Hjelt Pseudo Section of the
Inverted VLF- EM Real component of the Profile.
341
[a]
20
VLF-EM Profile 3
Raw real data
Fraser filtered data
10
F1
Response (%)
NW SE
0
-10
-20
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Distance (m)
[b]
VES 26
342
[a]
VLF-EM Profile 4
10 F1
Raw real data F5
F2 Fraser filtered data
F3 F4
Response (%)
0 W E
-10
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

D ista nce (m)
[b]
VES 10 VES 38
VLF- EM Real component of the Profile.
343
[a]
VLF-EM Profile 5
10
Raw real data
F1 F2 F3 F4
Response (%)
0 SW NE
-10
0 50 100 150 200 250

Distance (m)
[b]
VES 10 VES 36
344
[a]
VLF-EM Profile 6
10
Raw real data
F1
F2 F3 F4 F5
Response (%)
0SW NE
-10
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

D ista nce (m)
[b]
VES 30
VES 31 VES 33 VES 16
345
[a]
20
VLF-EM Profile 7
F4
Raw real data
10 F1 F2
Resp on se (% )
F3
0 S N
-10
-20
0 50 100 150 200

Dista nce (m)
[b]
VES 17 VES 19 VES 7
346
Several other closures of conductive bodies are present on the section with each conductive body
coinciding with the points already identified on the profile, as fractures/joints.
The same process of qualitative interpretation was adopted for the remaining profiles and their
corresponding pseudo sections. Based on the interpreted VLF-EM profile the points of interest marked as
Fs (e.g. F1, F2, etc.) were among the points that were further investigated using the Vertical Electrical
Resistivity Sounding (VES).
In addition, the map of the filtered real component was prepared as equivalent current density map (Figure
10). The equivalent current density varies from -24 % to 8% with negative values characterizing the
resistive zones and the positive values the conductive zones. The conductive zones are located within some
parts of the northwestern, central and southeastern regions of the study area. Thus, additional VES
locations were sited in these regions (e.g., VES locations 20, 24, 25, 39 etc.).
Figure 10: Equivalent current density map of the study area.
347
Resistivity Sounding Curves and Geoelectric Sections

The resistivity sounding curves obtained from the surveyed area vary from 2-layer (A type) to 3-layer (H
and A types) or 4-layer (KH and QH types) as shown in Figure 11.
The 2 Dimensional view of the geoelectric parameters (resistivity and depth) obtained from the inversion of
the electrical resistivity sounding data are presented as geo-electric sections.
Figure 12a is a geoelectric section drawn through VES locations 37, 35, 16 and 17 in the West to East
direction shows these geoelectric layers. The top soil, which is relatively thin, is characterized by resitivity
values between 43 Ohm-m and 670 Ohm-m and thickness values between 0.4m and 1m. Based on the
resistivity values, the top soil is diagnosed to be clayey towards the eastern end at locations of VES 16 and
VES 17. At VES 37 the observed top soil resistivity is presumed to be sandy, while resistivity of 670 Ohm-
m observed at VES 35 can be attributed to lateritic unit at shallow depth. Beneath the top soil layer, the
profile reflects a layer identified as the aquifer unit characterized by resistivity values between 58 Ohm-m
and 326 Ohm-m and thickness ranging from 10.9m and 18.7m respectively, diagnostic of extensive
weathered bedrock.
348
349obtained from ER data acquired in the study

Figure 11. Typical Vertical Sounding Curves
area.
V2 V1
340 V3
318 287
3619
543
543
20
20m
330
90
Elevation (m)
158
15
210 15
10
10
320 2036
2582
5
2726
0
310 0 25 50 75 100m
300
Top soil lateritic clay Weathered layer Fresh bedrock
Figure 12: 2D Geo-electric sections along: (a) West-Eastern, and (b) Southwestern-Northeastern cross sections.
350
The underlying bedrock is characterized by resistivity values raging from 1232 Om-m to 4062 Ohm-m.
Low resistivity values are suggestive of fractured bedrock in the area.
Figure 12b also shows the geoelectric section drawn in the southwest – northeast direction across vertical
sounding points 2, 1 and 3. The top soil along the section has resistivity values ranging from 287 Ohm-m to
543 Ohm-m characteristic of sandy soil. Beneath the top soil layer towards the southwestern part the
relatively high resistivity values of 543 Ohm-m and 3619Ohm-m observed under the topsoil characterized a
lateritic unit (which shows as spots of massive body with low current density on figure 3), which does not
extend to VES 3 location. The next layer, recognized as the aquifer layer with unit resistivity values
between 90 Ohm-m and 210 Ohm-m is the presumed highly weathered layer. The basal unit with resistivty
values ranging from 2036 Ohm-m to 2726 Ohm-m is identified as the fresh bedrock along the section.
Figure 13a shows another geoelectric section in the southwest –northeast direction. Just as observed in
Figure 12b, the topsoil can be categorized as clayey to sandy soil, based on the resistivity values, which
vary from 75 Ohm-m to 308 Ohm-m. Under VES 11, the second layer resistivity value is diagnostic of the
lateritic unit observed at some VES locations. However, another layer recognized as weathered layer
aquifer extends from VES 11 location through VES 26 and VES 5, but not observed at VES 4 location.
This aquiferous layer has resistivity values of 411 ohm-m, 507 Ohm-m and 274 Ohm-m at VES 11, VES
26 and VES 5 locations respectively. The thickness of the layer ranges from 5.2m to 16.2m. Beneath this
first aquifer unit is the next layer recognized as weathered/fractured layer aquifer, which has low resistivity
values of 53 Ohm-m, 50 Ohm-m and 53 Ohm-m at sounding locations VES 26, VES 5 and VES 4
respectively. This is also observed on the Karous and Hjelt pseudo sections of the inverted VLF-EM data
shown in Figures 4 and 5. Both figures show an extensive fractures beneath VES 5 and VES 26, which
extends into the bedrock at these locations (Figures 4 and 5). The underlying bedrock with resistivity values
of 559 Ohm-m at VES 5 is diagnostic of fractured basement as also observed on the VLF-EM profiles. This
indicates that the location is suitable for sitting bore hole in the area.
351
V7 V 19
335 V 17
17
330 71
20
Elevation (m)
34 20m
325 326
15
1039 15
320
10
10
315 81
4062
5
5
310
0
2713 0 25 50 75 100m
Top soil Weathered layer Fresh Bedrock
Figure 13: 2D Geo-electric sections along: (a) Southwestern-Northeastern, and (b) North-South cross sections.
352
Figure 13b shows a geoelectric sections depicting a weathering profile with topsoil having resistivity values
between 17 ohm-m at VES 19 and 71 Ohm-m at VES 17 depicting a clayey layer. Under the layer is the
aquifer layer which is recognized to be weathered layer with layer resistivity of 326 Ohm-m at VES 17, and
81Ohm-m at VES 7 recognized as fractured bedrock at VES 7 (Figures 13 and 19). The unit is absent at
VES 19 where the bedrock is very close to the surface. The bedrock is observed to be fractured which
appears as dipping and vertical conductors respectively on the VLF-EM profiles at VES 19 and VES7
respectively (Figure 9). However, there is no indication that the bedrock is fractured at VES 17.
Generally, the topsoil is relatively thin in most places, with resistivity values characteristically of clayey to
sand or lateritic soil. Across the entire study area, the topsoil resistivity value was found to vary between 17
Ohm-m to 1119 Ohm-m, while its thickness ranges between 0.3 and 9.4m.
The intermediate units could be categorized into lateritic, weathered or fractured bedrock. In some cases,
the weathered materials are presumed to be clayey based on the resistivity values (approximately between
20 Ohm-m and 100 Ohm-m). Some parts of the study area are also characterized by sharp resistivity values
between the topsoil and weathered bedrock diagnostic of lateritic unit. Furthermore, occurrence of low
resistivity value of 50 Ohm-m observed at approximate depth of 16.7m coinciding with a depression zone
beneath VES station 5 (Figure 13a) is diagnostic of fractured bedrock, thus making the VES point very
appropriate for locating borehole. The unit characterized as weathered/Fractured Basement based has
resistivity values ranging from 50 to 411ohm – m, with thickness ranging from 3.4 to 18.3m
The fresh Bedrock is observed to be characterized by resistivity varying between 559 Ohm-m and
25825ohm – m. Depth to the basement also varies from1.2m to 18.7m.
GEOELECTRIC CHARACTERISTICS
Weathered / Fractured Basement Aquifer Unit) Resistivity Map
Figure 14 shows the aquifer resistivity contour map of the delineated aquifer unit. The aquifer unit has
resistivity value varying from 15Ohm-m to 450Ohm-m. Based on the resistivity values of this unit, the
study area is zoned into three. The first zone characterized by resistivity values less than 100Ohm-m or
greater than 400Ohm-m is recognized as area of least groundwater prospect in this particular study. The
second classification is the zones of medium yield for groundwater prospect, characterized by resistivity
values ranging between 300Ohm-m and 350ohm–m in the area.
Areas with resistivity values between 150Ohm-m and 300Ohm-m are classified as zones of high
groundwater yield potential. Locations which fall within the zones recognized to have high yield potential
for groundwater development coincide with the conductive zones identified on the equivalent conductivity
map (Figure 10), indicating high degree of correlation between the two maps.
353
o o
5 14 28 E 5 14 38 E
o o
7 10 42.24 E 7 10 42.24 E
V3
V2 V1
380 Ohm-m
V21
V22 V23 V25
340 Ohm-m
V4
V5 300 Ohm-m
V20 V27
V28 V9
V26 260 Ohm-m
V29 V11
V38 V10 V7 V8 220 Ohm-m
V13 V19 180 Ohm-m
V6 V12 V18V14 V24
140 Ohm-m
V37 V35
V36V34
V15V16
V39 V17
100 Ohm-m
V32 V33
60 Ohm-m
V31 20 Ohm-m
V30
o o V12
7 10 4.8 E 7 10 4.8 E
o o
5 14 28 E 5 14 38 E Weathered
VES location /
0 1 2 3 4km Road
Figure 14: Weathered/Fractured basement (Aquifer unit) resistivity map of Oda
Fractured Basement Aquifer Unit) Thickness Map

The thickness of the aquifer unit varies between 2m to 32m (Figure 15). The aquifer unit in the entire area
is generally characterized by low thickness of between 1m and 10m.. However, some area have relatively
thick aquiferous unit with thickness varying between 10m and 34m. With regards to significant role plays
by thickness in groundwater abstraction, areas characterized by thickness between 10m and 34m are
accorded more preference in groundwater development.
354
o o
5 14 28 E 5 14 38 E
o o
7 10 42.24 E 7 10 42.24 E
V3
V2 V1
29m
V21
V22 V23 V25
V4 25m
V5
V20 V27
V28 V9 21m
V26
V29 V11
V38 V10 V7 V8 17m
V13 V19
V12 13m
V6 V18V14 V24
V37 V35
V36V34
V15V16 V 12
9m
V39 V17
V32 V33 5m
V31 1m
V30
o o
7 10 4.8 E 7 10 4.8 E
o
5 14 28 E
o
5 14 38 E VES location
0 1 2 3 4km Road
Figure 15: Weathered/Fractured basement thickness (aquifer unit) map of Oda.
Bedrock Relief Map

The bedrock relief map of the study area was produced by removing the overburden thickness contour
values from the elevation iso-contour values (Figure 16). The map reflects the topography the bedrock
underlying the area. The map shows that the basement structures in the area include both basement ridges
and depressions.
355
Figure 16: Bedrock relief map of Oda.
Naturally, the groundwater flows from areas of high pressure (such as bedrock ridge) to area of low
pressure (such as bedrock depression). It is then expected that areas identified as depressions on the map
are the groundwater collection points which have significant role in groundwater development.
Groundwater Evaluation
At large, the groundwater evaluation of the area is based on various categories of maps; Aquifer resistivity,
aquifer thickness and bedrock relief maps in preparing the groundwater potential map of the area as
deduced from the primary geoelectric parameters (resistivity and thickness values) obtained from the VES
interpretation results. The groundwater potential map shown in Figure 17 was used to categorize the study
area into good, intermediate and poor groundwater potential zones.
356
Comparison between the groundwater potential map and the bedrock relief map reveled that the area
categorized as fair to good groundwater potential zones coincide with the areas of basement trough
(depression) on the relief map, with substantively thick overburden and aquifer thickness. In contrary, areas
identified to be associated with the basement anticlines (or ridges) are recognized as areas of poor
groundwater potential, with characteristic thin overburden and aquifer thickness.
CONCLUSIONS
The geophysical methods used in this study have greatly assisted in evaluating groundwater potential of
Oda community, a suburb of an ancient town, Akure in Nigeria. Both the VLF – EM and Electrical probing
data over the area were inverted and interpreted in terms of the distribution of the geoelectrical parameters
in the area.
Interpretation of both the EM profiles and equivalent current density map identified some areas of
hydrogeologic importance in form of fractures and permeable zones, which were further probed using the
Electrical Resistivity survey.
Figure 17: Groundwater potential map of Oda
357
The geoelectric parameters obtained from the inverted Vertical Electrical resistivity Sounding data were
used to evolve various maps and cross sections which were analyzed in terms of hydro-geologic importance
of the area. The maps were used to categorize the study area into three groundwater potential zones as of
good, intermediate, and poor groundwater potential. The results also indicate that two types of aquifer (i.e.
weathered bedrock and fractured bedrock aquifer types) were identified in the study area. Other geologic
feature delineated from the distribution of the subsurface resistivity is the bedrock depression, which is of
significant hydro-geologic importance.
Results from the geophysical studies reveals that the community could play a significant role in
decongesting the ancient city of Akure, since the area can be exploited for groundwater resource.
Development of physical infra structures in the area will encourage people to relocate from Akure
metropolis into the area and thereby reduce the influx of people into the City.
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359

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Ozean Journal of Social Sciences 2(4), 2009

Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(4), 2009

ELECTROMAGNETIC PROFILING AND ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY

Adiat, K. A. N; Olayanju, G. M, Omosuyi G.O. And Ako B.D.

SITE DESCRIPTION AND GEOLOGY

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electromagnetic VLF-EM Survey

Electrical Resistivity Survey

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

VLF – EM Profiles and Map

Table 1: Summary of the geoelectric parameters over the study area.

2 313,3619,210,2726 0.4,0.3,16.7 2 171-3619 0.3-19.3 Sandy to Lateritic Sand

0 100 200 300 400

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

0 50 100 150 200 250

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

0 50 100 150 200

VES 17 VES 19 VES 7

Figure 10: Equivalent current density map of the study area.

Resistivity Sounding Curves and Geoelectric Sections

349obtained from ER data acquired in the study

Top soil Weathered layer Fresh Bedrock

Figure 14: Weathered/Fractured basement (Aquifer unit) resistivity map of Oda

Fractured Basement Aquifer Unit) Thickness Map

Figure 15: Weathered/Fractured basement thickness (aquifer unit) map of Oda.

Bedrock Relief Map

Figure 16: Bedrock relief map of Oda.

Figure 17: Groundwater potential map of Oda

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