Application of geoelectrical and chemical methods for groundwater assessment in Isheri-North, Ogun state, Nigeria

Abstract

Geoelectrical investigation and chemical analyses were carried out at Isheri North area of Ogun State in order to assess the groundwater quality at shallow depth and its deep potential zone for groundwater development. The study area has been selected for investigation due to infiltration of the polluted Ogun River. Forty-three (43) Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) and chemical analyses of water samples from one hand dug well and two shallow boreholes in the study area were carried out. Four to five geoelectric layers which correspond to top soil, clayey sand, sandy clay, clay and sand were delineated. The longitudinal conductance values (0.02 - 0.106mhos) of the topsoil in the area reveal its poor to weak protective capacity, thus exposing the underlying clayey sand to contamination as reflected from its resistivity values ranging from 4.8-15.1m. This low resistivity zone at shallow depth (3 – 26m), occasioned by infiltration, was further ascertained by high values of conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, TDS, Cl, Fe, and Mn ions in the analyzed water samples taken at depth ranges from 9 – 16m. The results of the analyzed water samples from this shallow zone are beyond international standards for drinking water. The underlying clay resistivity values ranged between 1.9 - 6.1m and thickness varied from 50.8 - 100.5m. This acts as the seal for the underlying aquifer (sand layer). The resistivity of the sand layer varied from 91.7-159m with a depth interval of 101.7-109.4m and 73.4-82.3m in VES 1 and VES 14 respectively. This constitutes the deep aquifer units in the study area. The longitudinal conductance values of the overburden above the profound aquifer units varied between 10.5-33.0 mhos and are indicative of very good to excellent protective capacity rating. Thus, the underlying deep aquifer units are well protected from being contaminated.