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

Abstract

Availability of portable water is a global challenge which has necessitated search for additional sources of water. The global focus now is on groundwater which on its own, is only available in abundance at certain locations. The search for groundwater potential to meet increasing demand of the populace is very important in order to sustain livelihood of the populace and to sustain industrial development. Kurna in Dala Local Government of Kano is one of the most densely populated area in Kano known for its scarcity of portable water. There are various method of investigating groundwater potential depending on the terrain and availability of equipment. A geo-electrical investigation was conducted to delineate the regional aquifer parameters for groundwater exploration in some parts of Kurna, Kano. 30 vertical electrical soundings (VES) points were carried out in different locations to determine the possible regions of high aquifer potential. The interpreted data was used to develop geo-electric/geologic sections and contoured the aquifer thickness and resistivity maps. The results show that, the study area is underlain by two, three and four geological layers. The interpreted data shows that the topsoil resistivity and thickness vary between 5.0 Ωm – 102 Ωm and 1.5m – 38m respectively. While the resistivity and thickness of the second layer vary between 3.0Ωm – 968Ωm and 2.0m – 58m respectively. The last layer is characterized with high resistivity values of up to 56229Ωm with an infinite thickness and it is the fresh basement complex of the study area. Based on these aquifer parameters, the VES points with relatively low resistivity and high thickness values of the weathered/fractured basement have been successfully delineated as the targets for aquifer promising zones for groundwater development.