Electrical Resistivity Investigation for Aquifer Vulnerability to Surface Contaminants at Dumpsites in Western Niger Delta


Authors : Irunkwor, T. C; Abanjo, N

Volume/Issue : Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N

Scribd : https://bit.ly/3AXn1eq

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7055818

Vertical electrical sounding, 2-D resistivity imaging and Dar-zarrouk parameters were used to investigate leachate plume generation, migration and the strength of the overlying protective capacity to prevent contamination of the groundwater aquifer at a municipality in the Western Niger Delta. Twelve vertical electrical sounding was investigated using the Mini-Res Resistivity Meter with the Schlumberger array. Darzarrouk parameters were employed to determine the protective capacity of overburden rock and the vulnerability of the aquifer to surface contaminants. The VES result was interpreted with Winglink software and delineated 5 layers of lateritic topsoil, sandy-clay, fine coarse-sand, medium coarse-sand and coarse sand. The VES and 2-D tomography mapped and identified 2 distinct zones of low resistivity values of 91Ωm and 394Ωm at depth of 5m to >28m indicating area of leachate contaminant plume;and zone of high resistivity value of 422Ωm and 5102Ωm suspected to be dumpsite gases. The Dar-zarrouk parameters showed that the total longitudinal conductance is low ranging from 0.01 Siemens at VES 4 to 0.09 Siemens at VES 6 which is less than the critical value of 1.0 Siemens suggesting that the overburden protective capacity do not have significant clay/shale impermeable beds. The total transverse resistance at each VES station varied from 286.55Ωm2 (at VES 9) to 4,949.18Ωm2 (at VES 6) interpreted as layers of high transmissivity indicating that the aquifer materials are porous and permeable to fluids flow. The aquifer overburden protective capacity and vulnerability ratings are respectively poor and extremely high vulnerability. The low values of overburden protective capacity of the sandy-clay layer and the high transmissivities of the vadose zones and the aquifers will aid the seepage and migration of contaminants within and around the dumpsites subsurface layers. Proper hydrogeophysical characteristics of the area should be considered before citing and drilling of boreholes

Keywords : Aquifer, Dar-zarouuk Parameters, Dumpsite Leachate, Protective Overburden Capacity, Vulnerability.

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