Evaluation of Groundwater Potentials Using Dar Zarrouk Parameters in Mapeo and Environs, North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater is the safest and most reliable source of water in crystalline basement complex terrain especially those associated with semi-arid to arid regions. This research is aim at evaluating the groundwater potentials of Mapeo and its environs, The study area is located between latitudes 8◦ 37'and 8◦ 45' N and longitudes 12◦21'and 12◦32' E. Thirty-five Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points were surveyed using the Schlumberger array. The analysis of the VES conducted revealed four layered formations; Sandy clay to slightly weathered, fractured, and basement rocks. The aquifer units in the study area varied from highly weathered and fractured basement rocks. Dar-Zarrouk parameters such as the longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance revealed values that ranged from 0.0842 to 1.5926Ω with an average value of 0.5767Ω and 1107.235 to 8910.410Ωm2 with an average value of 4167.902 Ωm2 respectively. For the aquifer properties, empirical formulae based on grain size analysis were used to determine hydraulic conductivity which ranges from 1.01X 10-9 to 9.82X 10-6m/day with an average value of 2.176x10-3m/day, the hydraulic conductivity determined from geophysical method range from 1.833 to 17.525m/day with an average value of 7.2182x10-3m/day while transmissivity values range from 47.657 to 779.724 m2/day with an average of 289.113 m2/day. Groundwater potential zones were determined based on transmissivity values and classified the area into low, moderate, and high potentials.