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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt
ISSN: 1119-8362
Vol. 21, No. 2, 2017, pp. 372-377
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Bioline Code: ja17040
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, Vol. 21, No. 2, 2017, pp. 372-377
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Saltwater Intrusion Appraisal of Shallow Aquifer in Burutu Area of the Western Niger Delta with 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography
OHWOGHERE- ASUMA, OGHENERO; CHINYEM, I.FELIX & ESSI, OGHENEVOVWERO EMMANUEL
Abstract
The area is faced with endemic groundwater quality problems arising from
abandoned shallow and deep boreholes. The abandonment of shallow boreholes is presumed to
have been caused by saltwater intrusion from the ocean. The objective of this paper is to
examine if saltwater is responsible for groundwater degradation associated with shallow
groundwater aquifer. To achieve this, a multi-electrodes ABEM SAS 4000 Terrameter was used
in the acquisition of 2D electrical resistivity tomography data. Inverse models which estimate
actual subsurface geologic resistivity was generated from RES2DINV software and
subsequently geologic information were construed from them. The interpretation of the various
profiles returned resistivity values which contrasted the existence of saltwater in the pore spaces
of groundwater aquifer media in the area under investigation. Resistivity images of values
ranged from 2.34Ωm to 70 Ωm where interpreted as clays, greater than 70-90Ωm as fine sand
and 90Ωm and above where interpret as medium sand. The evidence revealed by the 2D
electrical resistivity tomography investigation combined with geochemistry of groundwater
from literature suggested that abandonment of shallow boreholes are probably not related to
saltwater intrusion. The study has established that poor groundwater quality being experienced
is not caused by saltwater intrusion rather by iron which cannot be separately distinguished from
groundwater by resistivity technique.
Keywords
2D electrical resistivity tomography; Burutu; Saltwater intrusion; shallow aquifer; western Niger Delta; groundwater quality
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© Copyright 2017 - Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
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