Abstract
Geophysical and geologic field mapping data were used to model and estimate groundwater potentials and aquifer vulnerability in parts of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, SE Nigeria. The Vertical Electrical Sounding VES technique of the Resistivity Method was employed to acquire field data used to estimate aquifer potentials, while the Aquifer Vulnerability Index AVI method was used to model and characterize aquifer vulnerability. Results from the interpretations of the VES data showed that the area is underlain by Topsoil, sandstone, clayey sandstone, and shale lithologies at various horizons and depths. The target aquifers are water-saturated sandstone units. The average depth to the aquifer (and overburden thickness) in the study area is 50.8 m. Depth to the aquifer increases southwards suggesting deeper aquiferous units towards the southern parts of the study area. Average aquifer thickness and transmissivity are 14.81 m and 396.85 m2/day, respectively, and their values also increase towards the south. Aquifer potential classification based on aquifer transmissivity suggests moderate-high aquifer potentials in the study area. Estimated Aquifer Protective Capacity APC and Aquifer Vulnerability models gave moderate–good APC and moderate-high vulnerability, respectively. These models, which are a consequence of the overburden thickness and lithologies, have implications for groundwater quality and aquifer quality conservation. Groundwater conservation and exploitation are important elements in the sustainable development of groundwater resources in the study area. The results of the groundwater potentials, APC, and aquifer vulnerability analysis, therefore, suggest that groundwater exploitation schemes should target the southern parts of the study area where these parameters of interest are more favorable. Also, proper waste disposal management schemes designed with regard to the underlying geology/hydrogeology should be put in place in the study area since the aquifer is vulnerable to pollution.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ducci D, Sellerino M (2022) A Modified AVI Model for Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping: Case Studies in Southern Italy. Water 14(2):248. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14020248
Ekanem AM (2022) AVI- and GOD-based vulnerability assessment of aquifer units: a case study of parts of Akwa Ibom State. Southern Niger Delta, Nigeria, Sustain Water Resour Manag 8:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00628-x
Ezim EO, Obiadi II (2021) Hydrogeophysical investigation and aquifer evaluation of the formations in Nsukka Area. Southeastern Nigeria, J Environ Earth Sci 11(7):27–37
Gheorghe A (1978) Processing and synthesis of hydrological data. Abacus Press Junebridge Wells, Kent, pp 122–136
Gogu RC, Dassargues A (2000) Current trends and future challenges in groundwater vulnerability assessment using overlay and index methods. Environ Geol 9:549–559
Golam SS, Keramat M, Shahid M (2016) Deciphering transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer by vertical electrical sounding (VES) experiments in Northwest Bangladesh. Appl Water Sci 6:35–45
Henriet JP (1976) Direct applications of the dar zarrouk parameters in groundwater survey. Geophys Prospect 24:344–353
Irumhe EP, Osaghae SO, Obiadi II, Obiadi CM, Mgbolu CC (2022) Vulnerability studies of aquifer potential within Auchi Polytechnic Campuses. Arab J Geosci 15:1537
Mgbolu CC, Obiadi II, Obiadi CM, Okolo CM, Irumhe PE (2019) Integrated groundwater potentials studies, aquifer hydraulic characterization and vulnerability investigations of parts of Ndokwa. Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria, Solid Earth Sci 4:102–112
Mundel JA, Lother L, Oliver EM, Allen-long S (2003) Aquifer Vulnerability Analysis for Water Resource Production. Indian Department of Environmental Management, p. 25pp
Niwas S, Singhal DC (1981) Estimation of aquifer transmissivity from Dar Zarrouk parameters in porous media. J Hydrol 50:393–399
Novinpour EA, Khezri M (2019) Assessment of the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifer to pollution in Miandoab Plain based on the AVI. GODS, DRASTIC and Modified DRASTIC Models, Iranian J Ecohydrol 6(2):447–463
Obiadi II, Onwuemesi AG, Anike OL, Obiadi CM, Ajaegwu NE, Anakwuba EK, Akpunonu EO, Ezim EO (2012) Modeling crystalline rock permeability and porosity from geological and geophysical field studies: the Igarra example. Int J Electron Eng Res 1(1):5–15
Obiadi II, Obiadi CM (2016) Structural Deformation and Depositional Processes: Insights from the Greater Ughelli Depobelt, Niger Delta, Nigeria, Oil and Gas Research, .2(3). https://doi.org/10.4172/2472-0518.100011
Obiadi II, Onwuemesi AG, Anike OL, Ajaegwu NE, Anakwuba EK, Nwosu CM, Akpunonu EO, Onuigbo EN, Onuba OL (2013) Determining subsurface fracture characteristics from Azimuthal square array resistivity survey at Igarra. Nigeria Pure Appl Geophys 170(5):907–916
Obiadi II, Obiadi CM, Akudinobi BEB, Maduewesi UV, Ezim EO (2016) Effects of coal mining on the water resources in the communities hosting the Iva Valley and Okpara coal Mines in Enugu state, south East Nigeria. Sustain Water Resour Manag 2(3):207–216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-016-0061-8
Offordile ME (2002) Groundwater study and development in Nigeria, Mecon Geology and Engineering Services, Jos, 678p
Ogungbemi OS, Badmus GO, Ayeni OG, Ologe O (2013) Geo-electric investigation of aquifer vulnerability within Afe Babalola University. AdoeEkiti, Southwestern Nigeria, J Appl Geol Geophys 1(5):28–34
Okolo CM, Akudinobi BEB, Obiadi II (2020) Evaluation of Water Resources of some Satellite Towns in the central part of Anambra State, SE, Nigeria. Sustain Water Resour Manag 6:102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-020-00463-y
Okolo CM, Akudinobi BEB, Obiadi II, Okoyeh EI (2017) Assessment of pollution status of lower Niger drainage area, south-Eastern Nigeria using heavy metals. J Basic Phys Res 3(2):59–67
Oladapo MI, Mohammed MZ, Adeoye OO, Adetola OO (2004) Geoelectric investigation of the ondo-state housing corporation estate Ijapo. Akure Southwestern Nigeria J Min Geol 40(1):41–48
Ozoemenam JC, Akudinobi BEB, Nnodu VC, Obiadi II (2018) Water quality assessment of shallow and deep boreholes in Ekpan community, Effurun, Delta state. Nigeria Environ Earth Sci 77(5):170–188
Stempvoort DV, Ewert L, Leonard W (1993) Aquifer vulnerability index: A GIS - compatible method for groundwater vulnerability mapping. Can Water Resour J 18(1):25–37. https://doi.org/10.4296/cwrj1801025
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to TETFund Nigeria for providing the funds needed for the execution of the research project through the award of an Institutional Based Research IBR grant (Ref: TETF/DR&D/CE/UNIV/AWKA/IBR/2020/VOL II). The authors also acknowledge the Vice-Chancellor, UNIZIK, Professor C.O. Esimone; and the Director and staff of the TETFund unit, UNIZIK for facilitating and supervising the grant award scheme.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors hereby state that this research has no conflict of interest.
Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Obiadi, I.I., Ajaegwu, N.E., Meniru, C.I. et al. Aquifer potentials and vulnerability studies in Northern parts of Anambra State, SE Nigeria. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 8, 177 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00768-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00768-0