June

2024

PRE-DRILLING GEOPHYSICAL
INVESTIGATION FOR
GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION
Using the Electrical Resistivity Method of
Geophysical Investigation at Kingdom Hall of
Jehovah’s Witnesses, 15, Mustapha Street, Olodi
– Apapa, Lagos State.

EXECUTOR: AQUAKRUST KONSULT LIMITED

29, Isaac John Street, Fadeyi, Lagos State
1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

A pre-drilling geophysical investigation for groundwater exploration using the

electrical resistivity technique was conducted at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s
Witnesses on 15, Mustapha Street in Olodi Apapa area of Lagos State as
requested by GEOMIGHT NIG. ASSOCIATES.

Electrical Resistivity sounding was carried out to determine subsurface

stratification beneath the site with objective of deciphering presence or
otherwise of probable aquifer units beneath the site. This report presents
observations and conclusions based on data gathered from the site.

Equipment and Personnel were mobilized to site on Friday, 28th of June, 2024
and the field work was conducted on same day.
2 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

2.1 Site Description

The site is located on Mustapha Street in Olodi Apapa area of Lagos State. It
falls on approximate geographical coordinates Latitude N 06.444470; Longitude
E 003.340780 with an average elevation of 4m above the mean sea level.

A site location map is presented below in figure 1.

Figure 1: Map showing the location of the site (Source: Google Earth).

2.2 Site Geology

Nigeria is underlain by sedimentary rocks and crystalline rocks of the Basement

Complex (Figure 2) with the sedimentary rocks occurring within seven
sedimentary basins; one of which is Dahomey Basin that underlies Lagos State
in its entirety.
 The Dahomey basin consists essentially of five members, viz, Alluvium, Coastal
Plains Sands, Ilaro Formation, Ewekoro Formation and the Abeokuta Formation
which sits unconformably on the crystalline rocks of the basement complex of
Nigeria.

Figure 2: Generalized Geological Map of Nigeria (After Rahaman, 1998; Modified

from Geological Survey of Nigeria, GSN, 1974).
 The study area is underlain by Alluvial deposits (figure 3) which is composed
essentially of sand, silt and clay deposits.

Figure 3: Geological Map of Lagos State showing the Study Site

3 FIELD INVESTIGATION

3.1 Scope of Work

The scope of work for the investigation is as follows:

• To conduct electrical resistivity sounding at the site

• To decipher subsurface stratigraphy beneath the site
• To delineate probable aquifer units within the probed depth
• To determine depth to fresh groundwater beneath the site

The scope was achieved employing the following:

• Desk study – Review of previous studies around the study area

• Conduction of Vertical electrical resistivity sounding (VES) at the site.
• Interpretation of VES data
• Preparation of a Factual & Interpretative Report on the investigation.

3.2 Equipment and Personnel on Site

The following equipment were mobilised to site to execute the above works:

(1) 1 No. PASI 16GL-N Earth Resistivity Meter with accessories

(2) ADMT 300ZN unit
(3) 1 No. Garmin GPS unit

3.3 Field Work

3.3.1 Electrical Resistivity

The fieldwork was conducted on Friday, 28th of June, 2024 employing the
electrical resistivity method of geophysical prospecting.

The electrical resistivity prospecting method involves the detection of surface

effects produced by electric current flow in the ground and in using the method
two properties are of primary concern:

• Ability of rocks to conduct an electric current

• Polarization which occurs when an electric current is passed through rocks

The electrical conductivity of Earth materials can be studied by measuring the

electrical potential distribution at the Earth’s surface by an electric current that
is passed through the Earth or by detecting the Electromagnetic field produced
by an alternating electric current that is introduced into the Earth. The former
approach is the crux of the Electrical Resistivity Methods while the later
characterizes Electromagnetic (EM) methods.

The electrical resistivity method employs the introduction of artificially-

generated electric currents into the ground and measurement of the resulting
potential differences at the surface and is used in the study of horizontal and
vertical discontinuities in the electrical properties of the ground. Therefore, two
applications of the method exist:

• Horizontal / Geo-electrical Profiling: This method is principally used for

detecting and delineating horizontal changes in electrical resistivity. It involves
moving an electrode array of constant separation horizontally along surface
and it can be difficult to interpret directly from resulting curve due to formation
of cusps.

• Vertical Electrical Sounding: It finds its principal use in areas where the
geological structure can be approximated by layers which are horizontal or
nearly so and its goal is to determine from surface measurement the depths
to the subsurface layers together with their electrical resistivities. The current
and potential electrodes are maintained at the same relative spacing and the
whole spread is progressively expanded about a fixed central point. Thus, as
the distance between the current electrodes is increased, so the depth to
which the current penetrates is increased. The depth of investigation is
generally 20% to 40% of the current electrode spacing, depending on the earth
resistivity structure. This technique was employed for determination of the drill
depth beneath the site.
3.3.2 Vertical Electrical Sounding

In this method, one pair; the current electrodes (C1 & C2), serves to introduce
an electric current (I) into the ground and the other pair; potential electrodes
(P1 & P2), to measure the potential difference (V) produced as a result of the
current flow. The apparent resistivity value is then obtained using the
expression:

Where K is known as the geometric factor and is dependent on the electrode

configuration employed.

Data Acquisition

Instrumentation: For the purpose of this study, the PASI 16GL-N Earth
Resistivity along with the power pack was used for the data acquisition. This
instrument measures and displays the current that is passed into the ground,
the potential difference and resistance of the subsurface averaged over a
number of cycles. Other accessories used are stainless steel electrodes,
portable Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, connecting
cables, hammers and tapes.

Field Technique: The Schlumberger electrode configuration was adopted for

the investigation and its geometric factor is calculated as follows:

Where AB/2 is half the current electrode spacing (a in figure 4) and

MN the potential electrode spacing (b in figure 4)

Figure 4: Schematic representation of the Schlumberger array

Data Interpretation

The obtained apparent resistivities were interpreted via partial curve matching,
by employing the use of master and auxiliary curves produced by Mooney and
Orellana. The interpretation obtained was compared to interpretation by model
calculation using the WingLink software. Finally, the quantitative
interpretations were used to generate sounding curves and 1-D resistivity
model of the subsurface.
4 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

4.1 Vertical Electrical Sounding

A VES was conducted at the study area while varying current electrode
separation between 2m and 280m. The curve obtained from the sounding
exercise is as shown in figure 5.

100
Apparent Resistivity (ohm-m)

10

1
1 10 100 1000
Electrode Spacing (m)

Figure 5: VES curve obtained beneath the site

The profile indicates the presence of alternating sand and clay layers to a depth
of over 100m and a summary of the interpretation of VES data acquired at the
site is presented in table 1 while the model curve and parameters are presented
in the appendix.
 Table 1: Summary of VES interpretation

Depth Inferred
Resistivity Thickness
Layer to base Inferred Lithology Quality
(Ωm) (m)
(m)

1 55 0.5 0.5 Topsoil

2 10 0.7 1.2 Sandy Clay

3 60 6.2 7.4 Sand Fresh

3.6 58.2 65.6 Sand with clay Saline/Brackish

4
intercalations

5 73 ----- ----- Sand Fresh

A simple lithological sequence was inferred beneath the site. The first and
second layer is characterized by the topsoil with resistivity value of 55 ohm-m
to 10 ohm-m and it extends to a depth of about 1.2m.

Beneath this horizon, resistivity value of 60 ohm-m was recorded. This is

inferred as characterizing presence of sandy materials and it extends to a depth
of about 7.4m.

The fourth layer beneath the site is characterized by a significant drop in

resistivity value to 3.6 ohm-m. This horizon is inferred as being composed of
essentially clayey deposits with some sand intercalations. Furthermore, the
very low resistivity value obtained for the horizon can be inferred as an
indication of poor/saline groundwater quality within the sand layers. The horizon
marks the second aquifer horizon beneath the site and was delineated to a
depth of about 66m.

Beyond 66m, a rise in resistivity value was recorded for the fifth layer. With
resistivity value of 73 ohm-m, the horizon is here inferred as being composed
of essentially sandy materials. It marks the third aquifer horizon beneath the
site and is interpreted as hosting the best quality of groundwater beneath the
site as inferred from its resistivity value. Sounding terminated within this
horizon.

Consequently, from ground surface to the terminal depth of the probe, two
probable fresh water aquifer horizons were inferred, the first from near ground
surface to a depth of about 8m and the second beyond 66m depth.

For further correlation of subsurface stratification and determination of lithology

to deeper horizon, a telluric profile was occupied at the site. Comparison of
results from the telluric survey and VES showed similar structure and is
presented in figure 6.

On the ADMT profile, sandy (and good water quality) horizons are identified as
having yellow to red colour while clayey layers are identified with blue
coloration.

Thus, the MT profile and VES interpretation correlate well with delineation of
two aquifer horizons beneath the site. From the MT profile, it is observed that
the last layer delineated from the VES exercise extends to a depth of about
150m.
Figure 6: Correlation of VES and ADMT profiles beneath the site
5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion

The site falls within a region underlain by Alluvial deposits which is a member
of the Dahomey Basin underlying Lagos State in its entirety.

From interpretation of the data acquired at the site, multi aquifer units are
delineated beneath the site from ground surface to a depth of about 150m.

Correlating results of the VES and MT surveys, three aquifer regimes are
inferred. The first regime, which was delineated from near ground surface to a
depth of about 8m. The second aquifer horizon was delineated between depth
intervals of 45m and 66m. This horizon is prone to contamination from the
overlying very low resistivity horizon.

The third aquifer horizon was delineated between depth intervals of 66m and
150m. This horizon is expected to host the best groundwater quality beneath
the site from both VES and ADMT results; particularly from about 90m depth.

5.2 Recommendations

In lieu of our observations therefore, a target drill depth of 110m is

recommended at any spot within the site premises and the uppermost 70m
should be thoroughly grouted and clay sealed in order to prevent the
contamination of the screened horizon by the brackish/saline upper horizons.
 APPENDIX
VES DATA AND CURVE
 Half Current VES
Electrode Spacing
(AB/2) (m) Apparent Resistivity (Ωm)

1 34
2 23
3 25
3 24
4 30
6 37
8 36
10 39
10 36
15 31
20 23
25 17
25 13
30 10
40 8
50 7
50 6
60 5
80 4.6
100 5.9
140 8.9