Application of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing in groundwater exploration: A Case Study of Bosso Local Government Area, Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

Integrated approach of using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) have been of immense help to hydrogeologists and other bodies involved in management of environmental water resources to delineate the groundwater prospective zones for watershed development and management. This method is gradually providing an alternative to the expensive, time-consuming and laborious conventional approach of groundwater exploration which involves series of soil test in the laboratory. This approach is based on evaluating a set of hydrological, geological and topographical features that influence the natural occurrence of groundwater. Based on these, the mapping and identification of groundwater potential zones were carried out in Bosso Local Government Area of Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. The potential zones were classified into five categories (Very High Potential, High Potential, Moderate Potential, Low Potential and Very Low Potential zones) having analyzed four different thematic maps. About 18.65% (297km2) of the area is classified as very high potential which spans through the western boundary of the study area, 55.05% (876km2) was classified as high potential and is largely distributed within the central region of the Local Government, 10.35% (165km2) of the area was classified as Moderate Potential and are distributed around the South- East and Eastern region of the study area, 11.09% (177km2) was classified as Low Potential and are some unique areas within the High Potential class while 4.86% (77km2) was interpreted to be of Very Low Potential area for groundwater exploration within the study area. Any groundwater management project implemented in these favourable areas will bring maximum benefit. Similar studies coupled with detailed land use and geological formation study should be considered necessary before designing a water resource development activity as it will reduce the cost on detailed field visits which are laborious and time-consuming.