Application of Vertical Electrical Soundings to Characterize Aquifer Potential in Ota, Southwestern Nigeria

A knowledge of hydrogeophysical parameters of aquifers is essential for groundwater resource assessment, development and management. Traditionally, these parameters are estimated using pumping test carried out in boreholes or wells; but this is often costly and time consuming. Surface geophysical measurements can provide a cost effective and efficient estimates of these parameters. In the present work, geoelectrical resistivity data has been used to characterize and evaluate the aquifer potential at Covenant University, Ota, southwestern Nigeria. Some thirty-five vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were conducted using Schlumberger array with a maximun half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) of 240 m. The geoelectrical parameters obtained were used to estimate longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance of the delineated aquifer. Both the longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance, which qualitatively reflects the hydraulic properties of the aquifer, indicate that the aquifer unit is characterized with high values of hydraulic parameters; consequently a good groundwater potential. Thus, groundwater resource development and management in the area can be effectively planned based on these parameters