Modeling of aquifer geo-hydraulic characteristics with geo-electrical methods at a major coastal aquifer system in Uyo, southern Nigeria

Characterization of aquifer geo-hydraulic properties is essential for groundwater management and conservation. This work demonstrates the use of electrical resistivity surveying data in the characterization of important geo-hydraulic properties within a major coastal aquifer in southern Nigeria. Geo-electrical data acquired along profile lines with the use of Schlumberger array configuration were used to determine the aquifer geo-hydraulic parameters such as aquifer resistivity ρb, water resistivity ρw, porosity Φ, formation factor F, hydraulic conductivity K, transmissivity T, permeability Kp, and tortuosity τ. The resistivity inversion models delineated the occurrence of four lithological layers, with resistivity of the geo-layers ranging from 2.4 to 4,393 Ω m. Contour maps were created to show the distribution of the various geo-electrical and geo-hydraulic parameters over the study area. Regression curves showing the relationship between the geo-hydraulic parameters were generated and used to generate empirical relationships between the parameters. The empirical formulas developed for these geo-hydraulic parameters will aid in future work seeking to characterize aquifer zones and model aquifer geo-hydraulic units. In all, electrical resistivity surveying was found to be a noninvasive, cost-effective, and efficient method of characterizing aquifer geo-hydraulic properties via nonpoint geo-electrical data collected over the earth's surface. HIGHLIGHTS Vertical electrical soundings were undertaken in the study area.; The geo-electrical data were used to generate important aquifer geo-hydraulic parameters such as hydraulic conductivity K and transmissivity T.; The region has locations of low and high resistivity values.; This major coastal aquifer in southern Nigeria has been characterized.; Empirical formulas relating the geo-hydraulic parameters have been generated.;