INVESTIGATION OF GROUNDWATER FLOW PATTERN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SUBSURFACE AQUIFERS WITHIN TUDUN WADA CAMPUS KADUNA POLYTECHNIC, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Schlumberger techniques were applied to investigate groundwater flow patterns and characterization of subsurface aquifers within the Tudun Wada campus of Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State, Nigeria, for the purpose of determining resistivity variations using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and the horizontal profiling method to identify lithological units and aquifer zones beneath the subsurface of the study area. The field data were obtained on VES Profile 1 and VES Profile 2 at coordinates of Latitude 10.5294147, Longitude 7.4119753 and Latitude 10.5293601, and Longitude 7.4120444, respectively. Sixteen (16) Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were sounded in Profile 1 and Profile 2. The data obtained were subject to qualitative and quantitative analysis. From the analysis, it was revealed that Profile 1 indicates a confined to semi-confined aquifer system at intermediate depths (10–40 m), with the basement acting as the lower boundary, and the hydrogeological interpretation reveals that Profile 2 hosts a productive aquifer within the weathered and fractured zones, suggesting moderate-to-high groundwater potential. The overlying clay layers may enhance groundwater retention and protect against surface contamination. Based on the research findings, boreholes should be sited within zones exhibiting moderate resistivity (10–25 Ωm), corresponding to the weathered and fractured basement, as these areas show the highest groundwater potential, and for future research, more Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) with horizontal profiling should be carried out within the study area to detect hidden targets.