International Journal of
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Water Res. Environ. Eng.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-6613
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJWREE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 345

Article in Press

The effect of geological structures on groundwater in sedimentary formation of Abuja. Nigeria

JOHN DESMOND ADAJI

  •  Received: 26 April 2019
  •  Accepted: 26 April 2019
Abuja sedimentary formation is located within the southern part of the federal capital territory which house Abaji and Kwali area councils. This area was investigated for ground water potential using the effect of the rock structures to determine the hydrology components of the studied area. Geophysical method and geological method of exploration involving the vertical electrical sounding was employed to prospect for groundwater in the Abuja sedimentary Formations. Vertical electrical sounding using the Schlumberger electrode array configuration were deployed along traverses within the area. The soundings were conducted at seven locations .The qualitative analysis of the resistivity data identified relatively high conductive regions indicating possible aquifer zones. The quantitative interpretation of the modelled sounding curves delineated between five and seven subsurface layers at different location within the Formation. These layers were inferred to be the top soil, sandy-clay/clayey-sand, laterite and coarse sandstone. The modelled VES curves characterized the topsoil/weathered basement with resistivity range of 4 to 10Ωm with an estimated depth to basement ranging from 45 m to 120m. The results of the study confirm that the VES methods are very suitable for development of groundwater in these communities within Abuja sedimentary formation. Geophysical method combined with geological logging should hence, form an integral part of groundwater exploration programmes in solving problems associated with groundwater prospecting to locate potential aquifers for the supply of potable water to communities within this Formation.

Keywords: Groundwater