Nigerian Journal of Tropical Engineering

Vol. 7, No. 2, 2011, PP. 14 -25, ISSN 1595-5397.

GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR GROUNDWATER AROUND SW

LUGBE SATELLITE TOWN, F.C.T, ABUJA.
C. B Longpia* and B. G Pam**
*
Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Plateau State Polytechnic,
Barkin Ladi
**
Department of Civil Engineering, Plateau State Polytechnic,
Barkin Ladi

ABSTRACT
A total of 102 geo-electrical soundings (VES) were carried out around the SW part of Lugbe
Satellite Town-Abuja to determine the groundwater potential of the area. The VES data were
interpreted using WinResist software and the interpreted data enabled the preparation of the
result in terms of geo-electric sections and maps. which are relevant in hydrogeologic evaluation.
Three major geo-electric layers were delineated in the study area - Topsoil, weathered basement
and the bedrock. These layers are characterized by resistivity value ranges of 46-1226 ohm-m,
45-468 ohm-m, 200-2602 ohm-m respectively. The layer thicknesses vary from 0.8-2.1m in the
topsoil and 2.0-19.1m in the weathered layers. The depth to bedrock is variable from 0.8-21m.
Isopach and bedrock relief maps were evolved from the VES interpretation which enabled the
development of a simplified groundwater potential map of the area into high, medium and low
potential zones. This survey is expected to form a groundwater development baseline data for
incorporation in infrastructural development plan for SW Lugbe Satellite Town.

1. INTRODUCTION supply is mainly from underground water

The rapid increase in the use of
geophysics in groundwater exploration has
been as a result of its relative cheapness,
accuracy and speed [1]. Among the several
geophysical methods applicable to
groundwater exploration, which include
electromagnetic, seismic, magnetic, and
gravity methods, the electrical resistivity
method is the most reliable and widely used
because of its success rate [2, 3]. This
method is also extensively being used in
basement and sedimentary terrain for depth
to basement, structural mapping and nature
of the subsurface deposits.
Lugbe Satellite Town, Abuja is
located along the Abuja Airport Express
Road and occupies a large expanse of land.
The town is not connected to the Abuja
municipal water supply and hence water
14
resources by individual boreholes and wells.
The SW part of the area has been earmarked
for physical development and hence the
urgent need to have a detailed groundwater
potential survey of the area cannot be
overemphasized. This is to enable the
availability of groundwater resources to be
linked to the overall development plan with
emphasis on quantity and quality. This is to
avoid contamination of the hydrogeologic
system due to uncontrolled location of
physical facilities. The groundwater
resources development should be schemed
such that it serves as a major water supply
source or an augmentation scheme to the
main municipal water supply. In furtherance
of the above objectives, a detailed geo-
electrical resistivity survey was carried out
to determine hydrogeophysical parameters
of the hydrogeologic units such as the
superficial materials and thickness overlying
 Geophysical investigation for Groundwater around SW Lugbe Satellite Town, F.C.T, Abuja

the crystalline basement and basement parameters of the basement complex setting
structures or relief which are critical factors to develop simplified hydrogeologic
for groundwater potential rating. The survey potential maps [3, 4].
utilized geo-electrical and hydrogeologic

994400 N

N
P99 P86

993400 N P96

P88 P76 P69

P82 P62R. Kakarachina

P81
P66 P46
P72
P71 P65 P59 P38
P58 P51
P30
P63
L9
P36 P22
P49 P29
P48
KEY
P8
P7 River
P19 P6
L6 R. Bulukanda
Location
P11 P5
L4 P4 P1 VES Location
L3 P9 P3
L2 P2 L1
Profile Line
P1

990900 N

Fig. 1: Map of SW Lugbe (FCT-Abuja) Showing the VES Locations.

2. LOCATION, PHYSIOGRAPHY & stream is characteristically sub-perennial

DRAINAGE
The study area is located SW of Lugbe
Satellite Town along the Abuja-Airport
Express Road. The study area is near
rectangular in shape and covers a total land
area of 2.9 X 1.73km2 (Fig.1) and lies within
316350 to 319850 East and 990900 to
994400 North in the UTM mode.
The area has an undulating topography
dissected by seasonal and semi seasonal
streams which include the Kakarachina and
Bulukanda streams. The dissected sections
of the streams/rivers exposed most of the
basement rocks in places. The two streams
rises from the high land areas between 428
to 450m above mean sea level while stream
bed/valley bottoms range between 330 to
345m above mean sea levels. Kakarachina
while Bulukanda is seasonal.
Generally, the area slopes gently-north-
southwards and northeast-westwards
forming a small depression in the middle
section of the study area. The depression
falls within the confluence of Bulukanda and
Kakarachina streams (Fig. 1 & 11).
3. GEOLOGY
The study area (Lugbe-Abuja) lies
within the Nigerian Basement Complex of
North Central Nigeria. The rocks are
Precambrian in age. A summary of the
geology of the Basement Complex of North
Central Nigeria has been given by McCurry
[5]. Lugbe area is underlain mainly by
migmatites and migmatitic gneisses (Fig. 2).
The general structural trend within the area

15
 C. B Longpia and B. G Pam

is in NNE-SSW and NW-SW directions follow these directions.

some of the streams segments appear to

316350 E 317900 319850 E

994400 N
N
M

MG
993400

R. Kakarachina

KEY
Boundary

River

Settlement
MG
R. Bulukanda MG Migmatite-Gneiss

MG M Migmatite
M

990900
316350 E 317900 319850

Fig 2: Geological Map of the Study Area

4.0 GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION etrex 12 channel global positioning system

The geophysical Investigation involved
vertical electrical resistivity sounding
measurements (VES) in line profiles at
station interval of 250m with profile interval
of 230m. A total of 102 VES were
performed in thirteen lines or profiles
numbered L1-L13 (Fig.1). Offsets VES
were inevitable for some of the locations
along the profiles due to deep valleys,
gulleys or rock outcrop. VES location co-
ordinates were recorded using the Garmin
in the UTM mode.
The resistivity field measurements were
made with the ABEM Terrameter SAS 1000
model and current electrode spreads were
varied from 1.5 to 125m. The field data
obtained was interpreted using WinResist
software [6] which is based on smoothness
constrained optimization technique. Some of
the vertical electrical resistivity soundings
are presented as depth sounding curves (Fig.
3a, b and c).

16
Geophysical investigation for Groundwater around SW Lugbe Satellite Town, F.C.T, Abuja

(a)

(b)

(c)

Fig.3: Typical VES Curves from the study area. (a) VES 18, (b) VES 39 and (c) VES 51

17
 C. B Longpia and B. G Pam

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5.1 Geo-electric Parameters of the Geo-
electric Sequence
The geo-electrical sounding data
interpretations delineate three major
lithologic units in the study area. The geo-
electric sequence include -topsoil, weathered
basement and the resistive bedrock. Geo-
electric sections were taken in four
directions in N-S, NNW-SSE, NW-SE and
NE-SW axis in an attempt to correlate the
geo-electric sequence of the study area (Fig.
4, 5, 6 & 7). The geo-electric layers range
from two to three. Typical VES curves in
the location are as shown in (Fig. 3). A
histogram plot of the geo-electric layers is as
shown in Fig. 8. The topsoil consists of
sandy clay, clayey sand, laterite and lateritic
clay. This layer is characterized by
resistivity value range from 245 to 1671
ohm-m and the most frequent occurring
resistivity is in the range of 400 to 600 (Fig.
8a). The low resistivity (<500 ohm-m) is
characteristic of lateritic clay, sandy clay
and silty clay while the high resistivity
(>500-1671 ohm-m) is typical of dry
laterite, lateritic sandy clay and lateritic
sand. This layer thickness varies from 0.8-
2.1m with the most frequent thickness in the
1-2m range (Fig.9a).
The second layer is weathered basement
and consists mainly of sands and sandy
clays with resistivity value ranging from 15
to 544 ohm-m. This layer thickness is
variable from 0.8 to 21m.The most frequent
occurring resistivity and layer thickness lies
between 100-200 ohm-m and 5-10m range
as shown in Fig. 8 and 9 resp- ectively.
The resistivity in this layer is
characteristically low compared to other
layers, and as such suggests saturation by
water.
Areas with significantly thick weathered
basement (Fig. 10) and characterized by
moderately low resistivity (<200 ohm-m)
constitute the aquifer unit in the study area
[3, 7, 8].

VES 102
VES 68
Elevation (m)
VES 60
597
24 VES 51 VES 17

197 VES 42 VES 25

VES 34
92
KEY
648
95 Topsoil/Lateritic Layer
868 42 426
100 157 310
Weathered Basement
125 235
Basement
497
Resistivity in Ohm-m.
Fig.4: Geo-electric Section in N-S Axis
VES 51

20 Scale

18
 Geophysical investigation for Groundwater around SW Lugbe Satellite Town, F.C.T, Abuja

VES 75
VES 90 VES 67 VES 51 VES 43
VES 27
Elevation (m) 556
VES 98 VES 35
697
1692 247
310
1286
980 645 103
716 KEY
469 170
142 Topsoil/Lateritic Layer
437 328
1368
593
207 Weathered Basement

Bedrock

Fractured Basement

Fig.5: Geo-electric Section in NNW-SSE Direction. Resistivity in Ohm-m.

Elevation (m)
617
628
89 1636 KEY
105 235 339 256
310 149 112 267 Topsoil/Lateritic Layer
54
377
1664 375 440 188 Weathered Basement
249
5513
Basement
2030
Resistivity in Ohm-m.

Fig.6: Geo-electric Section in NW-SE Direction.

VES 53
Elevation (m)

KEY
Topsoil/Lateritic Layer

Weathered Basement

Basement

Resistivity in Ohm-m.

Fig.7: Geo-electric Section in NE-SW Axis.

The third layer (presumed geo-electric it is fractured, the resistivity falls below
bedrock) is characterized by resistivity value 1000 ohm-m. The fractured zone usually
range from > 140 to 2030 ohm-m. Fig.8 constitutes zones where groundwater can be
shows that resistivity of 200 to 600 ohm-m stored and harness. In some basement
constitutes the highest frequency in the geo- location, (e.g. VES 75) weathered
electric layer. Fresh bedrock resistivity most overburden and fractured aquifers can occur
often exceeds 1000 ohm-m. However, where concurrently (Fig. 5).

19
 C. B Longpia and B. G Pam

Fig.8: Histogram of Layer Resistivity

20
 Geophysical investigation for Groundwater around SW Lugbe Satellite Town, F.C.T, Abuja
Fig.9: Histogram of Weathered Layer Thickness
5.2 Isopach Map of the Overburden
The depth to bedrock data established
for all the VES stations occupied were
plotted and contoured as isopach map (Fig.
10) of the overburden using 2D Surface
Mapper (Surfer 8 programme). The
overburden thickness is variable across the
21
study area from 0.8-21.4m. Generally, areas
with thick overburden cover in basement
environments are areas with good
groundwater potential [9]. Therefore, areas
with thick overburden (15-21m) are the
priority areas for groundwater development
in this study.
 C. B Longpia and B. G Pam
994000
993500
993000
992500
992000
991500
316500 317000 317500
0 200
Fig.10: Isopach Map of the Overburden
5.3 Bedrock Relief/Topographic Map
The bedrock relief map (Fig. 11) is a
contour of the bedrock elevation beneath all
the VES locations. The significance of this
map is that it reflects the bedrock
topography and structural disposition [10].
Topographic depression and ridges are
identifiable in the study area. Most part of
the basement depressions marked “D” are
covered with relatively thick overburden as
compared with other areas (Compare Fig.
10 &11). The streams in the SW segment
Key
VES Locations
15 Contour in meters
318000 318500 319000
400 600 800
(Bulukanda and Kakarachina ) appears to
follow the general topographic depression in
the area. The ridges marked “R” are
characterized by very shallow overburden.
Depressions in basement have been
recognized as water collecting troughs
displaced by bedrock crest [3, 10].
Therefore, the area with relatively thick
overburden as well as located in depressions
have good potential for groundwater storage
and are preferential areas for groundwater
development when considered in this case
study.
22
 Geophysical investigation for Groundwater around SW Lugbe Satellite Town, F.C.T, Abuja

994000

993500 R

D
993000 R

D
D
992500 D

D
992000

Key
D Depression
991500
D R Ridges
350 Contour in meters

316500 317000 317500 318000 318500 319000

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Fig.11: Bedrock Relief Map

5.4 Groundwater Potential Evaluation Groundwater potential characterization

(Fig.12) of the study area was developed
In groundwater potential evaluation in from the isopach, bedrock relief maps and
typical basement environment, the geo-electric sections prepared from the geo-
weathered layer if relatively thick and electric parameters obtained from the VES
characterized by low resistivity and/or interpretation result.
associated with basement structures,
depressions; sheared rocks are the important
parameters [3, 11].

23
 C. B Longpia and B. G Pam

994000

993500

993000

992500

992000

Key
VES Points

991500
High Groundwater Potential Area
Medium Groundwater Potential Area
Low Groundwater Area

316500 317000 317500 318000 318500 319000

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Fig.12: Groundwater Potential Map

with high groundwater potential. These
6. CONCLUSION AND factors are typical in basement
RECOMMENDATION environments.

This paper describes the groundwater The findings in this work are expected to
investigation around Southwestern Lugbe provide a baseline
Satellite Town, Abuja. The hydrogeological/hydrogeophysical guide for
investigation/survey involved a total of 102 integration into the infrastructural
VES carried out along thirteen profiles at development plan of the area southwest of
distance of 230m apart and VES line Lugbe Satellite Town. This has become
intervals of 250m. necessary due to the total absence of
groundwater supply component in the Old
The geo-electrical parameters obtained Lugbe Satelite Town. The areas highlighted
from the VES Interpretation were used to as high and medium groundwater should be
evolve maps and sections which enabled the target areas for further detailed Investigation
characterization of the groundwater potential using integrated geophysical and
of the area in terms of high, medium and hydrogeological exploration methods. The
low target areas. The study reveals that the high and medium groundwater potential
areas with relatively thick overburden and areas should be earmarked as preliminary
lies in the depression are adjudged the areas well fields for groundwater development.

24
 Geophysical investigation for Groundwater around SW Lugbe Satellite Town, F.C.T, Abuja

7. Acknowledgment Geology of Nigeria (2nd Edition), Kogbe C

A (ed). Published by Rockview
The author is grateful to Messrs International, Jos.
Muru IN, Bot Mark, Datsok Philip, Joel
Shikgolla, and Y.Y Yoila who assisted with 6. Vander Velpen, BPA (1988, 2004): Win
the field work. Longpigrand Geotechnics Resist. MSc. Research Project, ITC, Delf
Ltd provided all the field equipment for the Netherland
survey. Their involvement at all stages of
this work is highly appreciated. 7. Odusanya, B.O. and Amadi VMP (1990):
An Empirical Resistivity model for
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