CHARACTERIZATION AND GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL OF THE COASTTAL AQUIFER IN KULA AND ENVIRONS, RIVERS STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA, USING GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUE.

Abstract

Characterization and groundwater potential of the coasttal aquifer adopting geophysical technique was carried out in Kula and environs, Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. A total of 10 vertical electrical sounding points were occupied using the Schlumberger electrode configuration. The results show a 4 – 5  interpretable geoelectric layers with a lithologic sequence of clay, silty clay and sand. The lithology varies from clay to sand trending from SW to NE. The entire aquifers traversed were all unconfined aquifers having resistivities varying from 41.2 to 2092.4 Ωm, at the depth range of 14.6 to 44.9 m and thicknesses varying from 4.4 to 39.3 m, respectively. The study revealed aquifer transmissivity varrying from a low value of 214.2 to a high value of               82231.3 m2/day with an average value of 10517.7 m2/day. The aquifer depth and aquifer transmissivity maps generated from geoelectric parameters show that large aquifer depths corresponds to high transmissivity values and vice versa. The aquifer transmissivity map shows high aquifer transmissivities at the nothern portions of the area. The possibility of deep boreholes under unconfined aquifer condition is good in the study area based on the depth of investigation, such that the prospects for deep boreholes with high transmissivities is high in the study area. This suggest good results on the quality of the water and the sustainability of the boreholes. The general ground water potential in the area is averagely good due to its geological characteristics. Good and sustainable yields are possible from the aquifers in the area based on the transmissivity.