IDENTIFICATION OF LITHOLOGY CONSTITUENT, GROUNDWATER CONDITION AND VULNERABILITY IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), ASABA, NIGER DELTA

Abstract

Urbanization and industrialization of Asaba has not only led to greater demand of water but has also posed serious environmental hazard to these resources. The huge wastes generated by the growing population can contaminate the groundwater if the layers above the groundwater zone are pervious sandy horizons. Electrical resistivity method has been used in this study to evaluate groundwater potential and vulnerability within the premises of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba. Interpretation of the resistivity data led to the detection of 3 – 4 layers made up of: top soil, clay/sandy clay/sand, clay/clayey sand/sand and sand. The fourth made up of sand with resistivity values between 134 – 972 Ωm. The result showed that aquifer capable of yielding groundwater exists at depths ranging from 10.2 to more than 20.2 m. Groundwater vulnerability based on hydraulic resistance ranges from less than 1 to 5.5 year^-1; thus, showing that about 20 % of the area has extremely high to moderate vulnerability while the remaining 80 % has low to extremely low vulnerability. Hence, groundwater in most part of the study area is adequately protected by clays from contamination.