SEISMIC REFRACTION SURVEY FOR GROUNDWATER POTENTIALS OF NORTHERN PAIKO AREA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This paper titled Seismic Refraction Survey for Groundwater Potentials of Southern Paiko Area. Niger State, Nigeria, employs the service of seismic refraction survey method. A twelve- channel seistronix was used for the data collection. The profiles were marked at 100 m intervals, while the profiles lines traversed 1000 m (1 km). A total of 44 spreads were shot. Data were collected, Time- distance (T-S) graphs were plotted using matrix laboratory software, velocities of the underlying layers obtained and depths to the refractor layer computed and geologic cross sections were obtained. The results obtained gave an overview of the lateral variation in the lithological changes of the subsurface earth materials in the surveyed area. The basement surface varied in depth from 10.16 m to a maximum of 14.80 m weathered layer velocities ranging from 809 m/s to 3612 m/s and consolidated layer velocities varying between 2858 m/s to 9696 m/s. Four shot points were delineated as aquifer potentials of the area having depth to refractor varying between 13.70 m and 14.80 m with overburden velocities ranging from 1940 m/s to 3462 m/s. The rock materials identified in the surveyed area are chiefly sand, saturated clay, gravel, gneiss, igneous rock and granite