Assessment of Porous Zones from the Basement Rocks of Biu Plateau Basalts, North-Eastern Nigeria Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Data

Abstract: Fifteen vertical electrical soundings using the Schlumberger configuration with a current electrode spacing of AB/2 = 100m were conducted in Biu town, northeastern Nigeria. The field data were analyzed with IX1D inversion software to estimate porosity and identify porous zones. Results indicated four distinct layers with different thicknesses, resistivities, and weathering levels. The first layer is identified as alluvial topsoil, the second as weathered basalt, the third as fractured basalt, and the fourth as fresh basement. Resis­tivity values for the layers are: 2.16 to 149.00 Ωm for the topsoil, indicating porosity from secondary porosity or water content; 3.60 to 244.00 Ωm for weathered basalt; 16.50 to 372.20 Ωm for fractured basalt; and 55.04 to 449.75 Ωm for the fresh basement, reflecting high resistivity consistent with unaltered rock.

Porosity, Weathered Basement, Resistivity, Geo-electric layer, Sounding

1. Acworth, R. I., (1987). The development of crystalline basement aquifers in a Tropical environment. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology. Vol. 20, pp. 265-272 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Akande, W. G., Idris-Nda, A., Amadi, A. N., Abdulfatai, I. A., Alabi, A. A. & Yahaya, T. (2016). Evaluation of Groundwater Potential of Chanchaga Area, Minna, North-central Nigeria. American Journal of Innovative Research and Applied Sciences. 2(1):1-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Alhassan D., Usman, Daniel Nnaemeka Obiora, Francisca Nneka Okeke. (2017). Geoelectrical Investigation of Groundwater Potentials of Northern Paiko, Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Journal of Earth Science, 28(1): 103-112 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Archie, G.E. (1942). "The Electrical Resistivity Log as an Aid in Determining some Reservoir Characteristics". Petroleum Transactions of AIME 146: 54–62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bello, S. (2023). Subsurface investigation for groundwater potential of Biu Plateau Basalt North Eastern Nigeria, using Vertical electrical sounding. Science World Journal Vol. 18 (No 2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Chilton, R. C. and S.S.D. Foster, (1995). Hydrogeological characterization and water supply potential of basement aquifers in tropical Africa. Hydrogeology Journal. Vol. 3(1), pp. 36-49. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Conred (Nig.) Limited, (1978). A Report of Geophysical Investigation of Chibok Areas, Northeast (Unpublished) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Edet, A. E and C. S. Okereke, (1997). Assessment of hydrogeological conditions in basement aquifers of the Precambrian Oban Massif South-Eastern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Geophysics. Vol. 36(4), pp. 195-204. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. McNeil, J. D. (1980). Electrical Conductivity of Soils and Rocks, Geonics Ltd. Technical Note (1745 Meyerside Dr. Unit 8 Mississauge, Canada L5 1C6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Gylfi and Knutur, (2009). “Resistivity of Rocks: Presented at Short Course IV on Exploration for Geothermal Resources”, Organised by UNU-GTP, KenGen and GDC at Lake Naivasha, Kenya, Nov. 1 -11. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Kearey, P. and Brooks, M. (1984). “An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration”, Blackwells Scientific Publication, Oxford, pp. 198-217. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Keller, G.V. and Frischknecht, F.C. (1966). Electrical Methods in Geophysical Prospecting”. London: Pergamon. pp. 24 - 50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. MacDonold, A.M. and J. A. Davies, (2000). Brief review of groundwater for rural water supply in sub- Saharan Africa. British Geological Survey. Technical report WC/00/33. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Morris, B.L., A.R.L. Lawrence, P.J.C. Chilton, B. Adams, R.C. Calow and B.A. Klinck, (2003). Groundwater and its susceptibility to degradation: A Global Assessment of the problem and option for management. Early warning and assessment report series, RS. 03-3 United Nations environment programme, Nairobi, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Olorunfemi, M. O. and S.A. Fasuyi, (1993). Aquifer types and the geoelectrical/hydrogeologic characteristics of part of central basement terrain of Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Science. Vol. 16(3), pp 309-317. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Obiefuna, G. I. and Nggada, I. S. (2014). Geochemical and mineralogical composition of Biu Baslt deposit, Biu area NE Nigeria. Res. Journal of Envir. and Sci. 6(5): 241-250. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Palacky, G.V. (1987). Resistivity Characteristics of Geologic Targets, in Electromagnetic Methods” in Applied Geophysics, Vol 1, Theory, 1351. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Telford, W. M., L. P. Geldart and R. E. Sheriff, (1990). Applied Geophysics, Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Turner, D. C. (1978). Volcanoes of the Biu Basalts, North eastern Nigeria. Journal Min. Geol. Vol. 15. PP. 49-62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Decision Tree and Automatic Linear Modeling Approaches to Predict Body Weight in Indigenous Sabi Sheep and Matebele Goat Females of Zimbabwe
• Microcontroller – Based Automatic Railway Crossing Control and Track Obstacle Monitoring System
• Modelling the Role of Absorptive Capacity in Foreign Direct Investment - Economic Growth Nexus: A Focus on South Africa’s Manufacturing Sector
• AI-Powered Wristband for Accurate BAC Monitoring Using Smart Data Fusion
• Climate Change Impacts on Different Regions