Geophysical investigation of groundwater potential using vertical electrical sounding at a West African location

The determination of groundwater potential using vertical electrical sounding (VES) was carried out at the undeveloped site of a West African location at the federal university of Wukari in Taraba State of Nigeria. The research is aimed at delineating groundwater potential and identification of a suitable site for the drilling of a productive motorized borehole in the grounds of the university. The measurement was conducted using a terrameter SAS 300C. The collected data were analyzed using IP12WIN and surfer version 7.0 software. The geographical location of the area is bounded by latitude 7.015°N to 7.850°N and longitude 9.047°E to 9.783°E. Three to four main geological layers were identified from the geo-electric characteristics of the area, which comprises of fine soil and clay sand of topsoil, soft shale weathered and fractured sand stone. Layer’s thickness ranges from 1.4-3.0m for topsoil, 3.0-5.0m for fine sand, 5-10m for clay sand. The results of the interpreted VES data showed that the saturated groundwater bearing layer (aquifer) lie within the weathered and fractured sand stone of the predominantly four-layered geo-electric structure. The inferred areas for groundwater accumulation were found to be VES1, VES3, VES7, VES8, and VES9. The research concludes that these areas form the best sites for drilling boreholes.