A HYDROGEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER FLOW DIRECTION AND AQUIFER POTENTIAL IN UFUMA AND ENVIRONS, ANAMBRA STATE
Abstract
Hydrogeological investigations were carried out in Ufuma and its environs, Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, to evaluate groundwater flow direction and assess aquifer potential. Fifteen vertical electrical soundings (VES) were conducted using the Schlumberger electrode configuration. The acquired geophysical data were interpreted using a combination of partial curve matching and computer-assisted iterative modelling techniques. The interpreted geoelectrical results delineated five curve types, namely K, HK, AK, KQ, and QK, with HK and AK types dominating approximately 80% of the soundings, while the remaining 20% comprised the other curve forms. The interpreted results reveal that the depth to the water-bearing sandstone aquifer ranges from 42.28 m at Ufuma to 132.99 m at Ndiokpalaeze. The aquifer unit is characterized by a relatively high average resistivity of 2016.93 ?m. Spatial variation indicates that aquifer thickness is generally greater in the northeastern part of the study area, with an average thickness of 95.65m. Hydraulic parameter estimation indicates that hydraulic conductivity values vary from 7.0 × 10?² m/day at Umuogem (VES 6) to 7.35 × 10?¹ m/day at Ufuma (VES 3), with an average value of 2.78 × 10?¹ m/day. Transmissivity values range between 7.95 m²/day and 50.32 m²/day, with a mean of 22.26 m²/day. Analysis of groundwater flow direction indicates a dominant northwest–southeast (NW–SE) trend, which is consistent with the regional geomorphological slope. The results suggest that the aquifer system in the study area possesses moderate to good groundwater development potential for domestic and small-scale water supply. However, the predominance of unconsolidated sandy formations indicates a high susceptibility to erosion and necessitates appropriate land-use and environmental management strategies.
KEYWORDS: Hydrogeophysical, lithologic unit, Aquifer, Resistivity, Transmissivity, Erodibility, hydrogeological
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