Formation Characterization and Groundwater Prospect of Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau, Zamfara State Using Resistivity Method

Abstract

The fact that numerous unsuccessful boreholes have been drilled in basement terrain such as Gusau is a common phenomenon. To tackle this problem, a geophysical approach using vertical electrical sounding (VES) was carried out at Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau to determine the basement structure and groundwater potential of the area. The VES using Schlumberger array was carried out at twenty four (24) VES stations with maximum electrode separation of 200m. WinGlink software has been used in interpreting the results. Two and three subsurface layers exist in the study area. The topmost geoelectric layer has resistivity mostly within the range of 1-522. The topsoil thickness ranges from 0.40 to 4.0 m while the overburden thickness of the surveyed area ranges from 0.40 to 18.0 m. The aquifer thickness of the study area ranges from 1.00 to 19.32m. The interpreted results suggest that the main aquifer in the area appears to be the weathered and fractured basements. Productive boreholes can be located around VES 3, 10, 16 and 17.