Aquifer Vulnerability to Surface Contamination: A Case of the New Millennium City, Kaduna, Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

The study seeks to evaluate potential environmental impact on surface and groundwater as well as aquifer protective capacity to suggests possible solutions in some section of Kaduna Millennium City. A total of thirty Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were carried out using Schlumberger electrode configuration with current electrode spacing of a maximum of 200 m. The Interpreted data revealed the weak aquifer protective capacity zones which were found in some parts of northeast and central parts (VES stations A4, A5, A6, B4, C3 and C4) with its longitudinal conductance range from 0.114-0.194 Ω which represent 20% of the study area. Average/good aquifer protective capacity zones has longitudinal conductance ranging from 0.210-0.559 Ω. These zones covered twenty-four (24) VES stations which represent 80% of the study area and it is characterized with high thickness and low resistivity values of the weathered and fracture basement. Hence recommended for borehole siting. Similarly, the aquifer deep zones where the adjourning rocks are highly resistive (VES stations A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, D2, and E3) were also determined for siting waste and sewage disposals. However, the work also suggests that the urban associated development programs due to anthropogenic activities should be properly planned to avoid areas that are prone to contamination.

Modification of the Traditional Half Schlumberger Arrays and its Efficiency for Subsurface Exploration

“…However, Schlumberger data are ambiguous, because many different "models" can produce the same data. Though; the Schlumberger survey is slow because electrodes must be removed and driven into the ground between measurements, the Half Schlumberger technique is very fast and easy [39]. However, the data acquired by the Schlumberger survey are usually influenced by near-surface conductive layers because the current always travels most easily along highly conductive layers and if the surface is highly conductive, it may not be possible to collect data below the top layer [29,26].…”

Delineation of Regional Aquifer Parameters for Groundwater Exploration at Kurna, Kano

“…Though groundwater has been identi ed as the most preferable option water distributions source. This is hinge on the fact that it is usually less susceptible to surface contaminants [13,14,15,16].…”

“…Therefore, successful development need to promote adequate knowledge of groundwater prospecting and exploration [20,1]. Several geophysical methods, especially electrical resistivity have been used to investigate the groundwater potential in Northern Nigeria [21,13,4]. Presently, there are little subsurface information about the regional groundwater for adequate groundwater development.…”

“…Presently, there are little subsurface information about the regional groundwater for adequate groundwater development. According to a remarkable study, installation of boreholes should be predetermined adequate hydro-geophysical investigation rather than the usual prescription by owners, which has led to the current high rate of borehole failures and poor borehole yielding [22,13,1,23]. To avoid this situation, the study applied an electrical resistivity using a Schlumberger array to provide subsurface information (such as aquifer promising zones and aquifer layer thickness).…”

Delineation of Aquifer Storage Capacity in Response to Regional Groundwater Development

“…The continuous deterioration in the quality of drinking water supplies in Nigeria by several human activities has generated serious challenges such as solid wastes [4,8,9,10]. The interactions between surface contaminants and the surface/groundwater have led to recent negative environmental impacts and public health risks [4,11,5,12,13]. However, the rural regional water supply does not face serious pollution threats compared to the cities.…”