GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF AQUIFER POTENTIALS IN MASHI TOWN, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA: A VERTICAL ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY APPROACH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jees.2025.0202/015Keywords:
Aquifers, Basement complex, Groundwater, Hydraulic conductivityAbstract
Groundwater is a vital natural resource concealed beneath the Earth's surface; it is the most undervalued component of global resources. It is a critical resource accounting for nearly one-third of the world's freshwater supplies, particularly in areas where surface water is limited or unpredictable. A geophysical survey using vertical electrical sounding (VES) was conducted to explore groundwater prospecting areas in Mashi town, Katsina state. A total of eighteen (18) VES survey points using Schlumberger array configuration were acquired, processed and interpreted. The results revealed aquifer resistivity ranges from 87.6 to 198 Ώm. In contrast, aquifer thickness ranges between 3.86 and 33.4 m, aquifer depth varies from 9.1 to 40.3 m, transverse resistance ranges between 206.124 and 4255 Ώm2, and the range of hydraulic conductivity is 2.734 to 5.955 m/day. The estimated transmissivity range is 13.634 to 126.047 m2/day. The results indicate that the southeastern part of the study area has the potential for groundwater development. Therefore, areas around VES 1 to 10 are suitable for borehole drilling, which could yield high-quality water, and a depth of 20-40 m should be targeted for groundwater development.
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