Vertical Electrical Sounding Investigation for Groundwater at the South-Western part of (Site A) of Nigerian Mobile Police Barracks (Mopol 12), David Mark Road, Maitumbi, Minna

Abstract

A geophysical investigation of the south-western part of the MOPOL 12 Barracks, David Mark road, Maitumbi, Minna, Niger State, was carried out using vertical electrical sounding (VES) method. A total number of thirty-six (36) VES stations were mapped out and covered using the Schlumberger method of electrical (VES) sounding. The data obtained from the VES subjected to analysis using Zohdy (computer software). Thereafter, the results from Zohdy curves were subjected for further processing using Surfer 8 (windows based computer software). From the digitized Zohdy curve data obtained, Iso-resistivity maps at different depths, Geoelectrical Vertical Sectioning of each profile, and the depth to basement maps were obtained. The vertical sectioning of each profile suggests the existence of three geoelectric layers. The first layer has resistivity values between 20 Ωm to 200 Ωm which corresponds to lateritic topsoil, fadama loam, sandy-clay and gravel. The second layer has resistivity values ranging from 200 Ωm to 900 Ωm, which typifies weathered and fractured basement. While the fresh basement forms the third layer and characterised with resistivity values above 1000 Ωm. The result of the VES corroborates with the results from the electrical profiling method earlier conducted. The promising regions to exploit underground water (aquifer) within the survey area are VES points A2, A3, A4, A5, B3, B4, B5, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, E4, E5 and E6.The civil engineering work could be better located at north-eastern and southern parts of the study area where the basement is uplifted.