GEOELECTRICAL INVESTIGATION OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK AT PERMANENT SITE, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
A geophysical survey for groundwater resources was carried out in the administrative block of Federal University Dutsin-Ma, permanent site. This was successfully done by employing the electrical resistivity method to investigate the water table variations, the depth to basement, thickness of weathered basement, thickness of aquifer and area suitable for boreholes establishment within the areas covered with the application of Schlumberger arrangement. ABEM TERRAMETER SAS 300 was the principal instrument used in this survey. A total of two transverses with five VES stations along each traverse, having separation of 20 m apart, were investigated. It has a maximum current electrode separation (AB/2) of 160 m. Three to four layers were observed namely; Top layer, weathered layer, fractured layer, and fresh basement layer. First layer has resistivity, depth and thickness range of 101-1573 Ωm, 13.2-36.6 m and 6.06-17.3m respectively. Second layer has a range of resistivity, 2.36-3040 Ωm; depth, 0.406-20.m and thickness, 0.0409-20 m. Third layer has a range of resistivity, 190-3194 Ωm; the depth, 0.19-111 m and thickness, 0.19-107 m. Fourth layer has a resistivity range of 26.3-896 Ωm; its depth, 0.366-2.23 m and thickness, 0.366-1.22 m. While the fifth layer has resistivity, depth and thickness range of 95.7-1711 Ωm, 0.44-50.6 m and 0.44-49 m. The VES curves were interpreted using IPI2Win resistivity computer software and contour Maps were produced using SURFER 10 computer software. The results of the interpreted VES data showed that the saturated groundwater bearing layer (aquifer) lie within the weathered and fractured basement of the predominantly four-layered structure. VES 01, 02 and 03 have high potential for groundwater. However, the sitting of borehole can be done on VES 03 because it has the ability to retain and sustain portable water.