Evaluation of Aquifer Potentials for Irrigation Practice in Parts of the Basement Complex of North-Central Nigeria
A. S. Arabi *
Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
J. Raimi
Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
A. A. Ibrahim
Department of Geology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
B. B. M. Dewu
Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
A. M. Muhammad
Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A Geoelectric survey involving Vertical Electrical Sounding was carried out with the aim of using the results to delineate aquifer and assess its sustenance for adequate water supply for irrigation work in Fadama parts of some villages in Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna state, Nigeria. The data were acquired with symmetric Schlumberger configuration at stations chosen across the study area. The acquired data were inverted with 1D Earth Imager iterative software. The interpreted results suggest four geoelectric layers. From their equivalent geologic/lithologic units, the weathered and the underlain fractured basement, which are characterized with relatively low resistivity values (14 to 217Ωm), were considered as the aquiferous layers of the study area. Suitable sites for construction of pump-fitted wells were suggested based on thickness of the aquiferous layers. On assessment of the groundwater from estimated aquifer parameters, the well yield will serve the intended irrigation purpose.
Keywords: Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), transmissivity, irrigation