Geophysical Investigation of Groundwater Contamination Level Within Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Metropolis Using Dar-Zarrouk Parameters
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and population growth in Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom State, have intensified concerns over groundwater contamination due to unregulated waste disposal, poor sanitation, and indiscriminate land use. This study aims to assess the vulnerability of groundwater resources in these areas using geoelectric methods, particularly Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) integrated with Dar-Zarrouk (DZ) parameters. Twenty-six VES soundings were acquired using the Schlumberger configuration with a maximum AB/2 spacing of 300 m. Apparent resistivity data were processed and inverted using the WINRESIST software and validated with borehole lithologic logs. Primary geoelectric parameters (resistivity, thickness, and depth) and secondary indices, longitudinal conductance (S) and transverse resistance (T) were computed to evaluate aquifer protective capacity and transmissivity. The study revealed three to four geoelectrically distinct subsurface layers. Resistivity values in the topsoil ranged from 65.3 to 1172.1 ?m; in the aquifer zones, values ranged from <400 ?m in polluted areas of Ikot Ekpene to >2000 ?m in Obot Akara’s clean, gravelly aquifers. Longitudinal conductance varied from <0.1 S to 0.36 S, indicating generally poor to moderate aquifer protection. Transverse resistance ranged from <5000 ?m² in vulnerable zones to >10,000 ?m² in transmissive aquifers, particularly in Obot Akara. The results show that Ikot Ekpene has shallow, poorly protected aquifers and a higher contamination risk, while Obot Akara’s deeper and more resistive formations indicate better groundwater integrity. The integration of VES data with Dar-Zarrouk analysis proves effective in delineating vulnerable zones and supports informed groundwater management in rapidly urbanizing tropical regions.
Keywords
Groundwater Vulnerability; Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES); Dar-Zarrouk Parameters; Aquifer Protective Capacity; Geoelectrical Survey
Citations
IRE Journals:
Okon Peter Akpan , Emem Okon Ikpe
"Geophysical Investigation of Groundwater Contamination Level Within Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Metropolis Using Dar-Zarrouk Parameters" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 2 2025 Page 61-76
IEEE:
Okon Peter Akpan , Emem Okon Ikpe
"Geophysical Investigation of Groundwater Contamination Level Within Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Metropolis Using Dar-Zarrouk Parameters" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(2)
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