GEO-ELECTRICAL SOUNDING TO DELINEATE AQUIFER IN BENIN FORMATION; A CASE STUDY OF THE PERMANENT SITE OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY ΜΚΡΑΤ ΕΝΙΝ

The main objective of the study is to delineate the aquiferous zone and to determine its hydrogeological properties. The study area is located in the coastal region of Nigeria, where the Benin Formation is a significant geological formation, which is known to be a prolific aquifer. Geo-electrical sounding was employed to determine the depth and thickness of the aquiferous layer and to delineate the subsurface structures that affect the movement and storage of groundwater the electrical resistivity survey which used the ohmega resistivity meter, applied. The Schlumberger array configuration, and data were collected from 10 vertical electrical soundings (VES) stations distributed over the study area. The data obtained from the geo-electrical sounding were analyzed and interpreted using computer software packages IPI2WIN. The results revealed the presence of a thick aquiferous layer beneath the study area, with a depth range between 8.5m and 39.5m. The study also revealed that the subsurface geology of the study area is characterized by a sequence of sand and clay layers, which affect the movement and storage of groundwater. The resistivity values of the subsurface materials range from 4.5 to 4294 ohm-m, indicating the presence of both low- and high-resistivity layers. The study has successfully delineated the aquiferous zone in the study area and provided valuable information on the subsurface hydrogeological conditions. The results of this study can be used to manage and develop groundwater resources in the area sustainably.