Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Collins Okrah, Emmanuel K. Appiah-Adjei, William A. Agyekum

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2022.53.59

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water for many people in sub-Saharan Africa due to its generally suitable quality. The Vea catchment of north-east Ghana is well known for its high reliance on groundwater for domestic use. The major livelihood of the indigenes is agriculture, which is severely affected by the seasonal long dry spell during harmattan. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compute the aquifer characteristics to aid assessment of the storage potential for other uses such as irrigation in the catchment using the pumping test method. Pumping and recovery test data on 77 boreholes are used to determine the aquifer properties. The results indicated that transmissivity (T) and specific capacity (Sc) were within the ranges of 0.42–60.8 m2/d and 2–70 m3/d/m, respectively. The T and Sc are linearly related with a coefficient of determination, R2, of 0.85. The area has a specific yield of about 0.06% and a storage coefficient in the order of 10-7–10-3. The shallow aquifer system (below 50 m deep) and the fractured aquifer system have mean safe yields of 138 m3/d and 345 m3/d, respectively. Thus, the groundwater potential can support other uses such as small-scale irrigation apart from drinking. The results of the study could be used as a guide for managing groundwater resources in arid and semi-arid areas. Through careful planning of groundwater withdrawals for irrigation and other uses for the socioeconomic development of the people, this will help improve water security resilience in the catchment.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Ayesha Sikandar, Iqra Nasir

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2022.47.52

Satellite remote sensing and geographic information system are those technologies that have been proved highly productive in the monitoring of anthropogenic activities and in the development of databases that allows monitoring of wetlands and other protected areas in a systematic way. The Remote Sensing techniques also provides solution to the accessibility problems. The province of Sindh is comprised of many wetlands of which Manchar and Keenjhar Lakes has been studied. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite images were acquired for the year 2013 and 2021 respectively and different spectral indices like NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) were investigated. NDWI and NDVI is showing a positive correlation as the values of Pearson correlation “r” is almost near to 1. The NDVI value for both lakes in 2013 was high which is showing dense vegetation covers but on the other hand the NDVI values declines showing sparse vegetation in 2021 which is alarming. The NDWI values for both the lakes were below the threshold level. The main purpose of carrying out this study is to calculate and detect Vegetation covers and level of water stress in the lakes which was not found to be satisfactory as a lot of regions of Sindh in 2021 were facing drought conditions because of less precipitation and shortage of water in rivers. The study proved to be effective in demonstrating the use of satellite remote sensing techniques for wetland monitoring.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Oluwaseye P. Oyetade, Kehinde I. Adebayo, Ebenezer A. Kudamnya

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2022.40.46

Clay is predominant in most subgrade soils of Nigeria and it has found wide application in engineering construction due to its relative abundance coupled with the ease of acquisition. Therefore, there is the need to ascertain the geotechnical behaviour of these clays especially the Gerinya clays within the Patti Formation, Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria for their construction and industrial suitability. The Gerinya clays samples were examined for their geotechnical properties such as; specific gravity, Atterberg’s limit, grain size analysis, shear strength and mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction (XRD)). The Gerinya clays liquid limit ranges from 46% to 56%, the plastic limit ranges from 16.95% to 29.10% and the plasticity index ranges from 20.20% to 35.40%. The specific gravity ranges from 2.55 to 2.70, while the angle of internal friction and cohesion ranges from 130 to 200 and 31 KPa to 48 KPa respectively. Kaolinite was identified as the clay mineral in the Gerinya clays ranging from 22.34 to 67.61 wt% and quartz is the dominant non-clay mineral in the Gerinya clays. The other non-clay minerals are muscovite, anatase and rutile. The Gerinya clays samples exhibit intermediate to high compressibility and medium to high plasticity. The shear strength reveals that the Gerinya clays has a low bearing capacity. The Gerinya clays are not suitable for construction since they will cause problems when employed as sub-base or sub-grade materials. However, the clays can be employed as raw materials for bricks manufacturing and landfill liners in a waste disposal facility.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Konwea, C. I., Olorunfemi H. K., Ajayi, O.

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2022.35.39

The performance of 129 boreholes constructed as groundwater intervention projects by governmental and non-governmental agencies in Ife Central Local Government Area, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria was assessed to appraise the effectiveness of the projects. Out of the eighty-seven (87) boreholes constructed by Government (Federal, State and Local), 51 boreholes (59%) were functional, while 36 boreholes (41%) were non-functional. Twenty-nine (29) boreholes constructed by non-governmental agencies recorded 66% success and 34% failure. Thirteen (13) boreholes constructed by unidentified agencies recorded 8% success and 92% failure. Pump failure, poor maintenance, stolen pump and unidentified causes contributed 36%, 16%, 7% and 41%, respectively to the 45% failure of the boreholes. The groundwater intervention projects are not very effective as only 55% of the 129 boreholes investigated were functional while 45% were non-functional. Borehole maintenance by both the agencies and beneficiaries, and availability of spare parts for the groundwater supply facilities were recommended.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Thomas A Harry , Ifiok U. Etim, Camillus E. Etim

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.01.2022.24.28

The paleodepositional environment and age of sedimentary outcrops along Lemna Road, northeast of Calabar Town, Cross River State, were determined using sedimentological and palynological studies. The sediments are primarily made up of sand gravel, carbonaceous shale with plant roots, and clays. Sedimentological and Palynological analyses were performed with the goal of determining the textural properties, age, and depositional environment of the sediments. Graphic mean grain sizes, sorting, skewness, and kurtosis are the grain size factors. Sorting of coarse-grained sediments deposited in a river setting was low to extremely poor as a result of graphic mean estimated coarse-grained sediments. The overall skewness is well formed, with a platykurtic kurtosis. Scatter plots of the coefficient of flatness vs sphericity and sphericity versus the oblate-prolate index show that pebbles formed in a highly energetic system (beach). According to the results of pebble morphometric indices, the sandstones are in an extremely energetic (beach) environment. Bivariate plots of sand textural metrics including graphical skewness vs graphical standard deviation and second moment skewness versus second moment standard deviation confirmed the high intensity (beach) origin of the sandstones. In the palynological analysis it was observed that there was absence of foraminifera’s while index taxa such as Magnstriatites howardii, Zonocostites ramonae, Verrucatosporitea lienus and Psilatricolporites sp. Were identified inferring early to late Miocene in age of sediments exposed in the study area.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Star Otitie Umayah

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.01.2022.15.23

The goal of this research is to use vertical electrical sounding to analyze the underlying lithological layers of Orerokpe, Delta State, Nigeria. The Schlumberger configuration with a maximum electrode spacing of 200 m was used in 15 VES surveys for the investigation. The data were acquired using ABEM SAS 4000 Terrameter and processed using the WINRESIST program. The data collected were analyzed and interpreted in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Distribution of the resistivity values at different depths are represented by iso-resistivity and electrical profile maps for different electrode spacing, AB at 2 m, 3 m, 4 m, 6 m, 6m (repeated), 9 m, 12m, 15m, 15m (repeated), 20m, 25m, 32m, 40m, 40m (repeated), and 50 m respectively. Results obtained from the study area revealed that geoelectric layers range from 3 to 4. Further findings from the study revealed that the iso-resistivity plot of AB/2 at various depths, it was observed that the area is predominantly underlain with coarse, medium, and fine sand as AB/2 increases.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Ezeonuogu A Happiness, Tamunobereton-ari Iyenomie, Amechi Bright

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2022.29.34

Corrosivity of underground pipeline as a function of lithology and pore fluid in parts of Rivers State, Nigeria was investigated using Wenner array configuration or technique of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES). A total of six VES were conducted at three locations within Rivers State, the study area and they are Obrikom, Dutch Island and Akpajo each having two VES points. The VES data were collected using ABEM terrameter SAS 300B processed and interpreted using ROCK-WOKS 2017 software and Microsoft excel spread sheet. The apparent resistivity values range from 10Ωm to 200Ωm depicting high corrosivity and indicating that some parts in the study area are likely to be corrosive, increasing the chances of pipeline corrosion (failure) which may result to oil spillage around such areas in the nearest future. Some other parts have negligible apparent resistivity ranging from 200Ωm and above. The Wenner array method used has been proven to be safer, efficient, quick and economical for detecting corrosivity along buried pipelines. The designated corrosivity status of each area were determined by lithology of the area and their resistivity. The knowledge of this study can be applied in the improvement of transmission pipe1ine integrity and reliabi1ity practice, by detecting pipeline damage at ear1y stage as well as oil spillage control and pollutions in areas where underground pipelines are laid.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Chukwu C. Ben, Ngeri A. Paddy, Udota S. Benjamin

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.01.2022.09.14

Overpressure prediction is vital for safety during exploration and drilling activities. Porosity indicates the potentiality or fluid storage capacity of rocks. It is the first among essential attributes of a reservoir. This study is aimed at predicting overpressure from porosity estimation in sedimentary formation and was carried out using well log data comprising of gamma ray, density and sonic logs from two exploratory wells in Niger Delta. Gamma ray log was used to delineate the lithology of the sedimentary sequence into sandstone and shale beds at the pre-determined depth intervals, porosity was estimated from interval transit time obtained using sonic log while overpressure was estimated using empirical relation. The results of this study show that porosity decreases with for both sandstone and shale beds, but however, porosity inversion was observed between the depth range of 2100ft and 3171ft. Overpressure zone was detected at the depth range of 2195ft and 3200ft at porosity value from 28% to 32% and 22% to 31% for sandstone and shale bed respectively. The knowledge of this study can be applied in the prevention of drilling activity hazards (blow out and lost circulation) and sedimentary basin analysis.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Saleh Emhanna, Eddawi Elhatmi

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.01.2022.04.08

Since 1950’s Ghadames Basin is considered as a highly productive petroleum province with a long exploration history in Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia. The ongoing exploration efforts and success of this basin in these countries is a proof of its potential to provide attractive exploration targets in future. Most discoveries in the basin so far have been made in the Acacus Formation as primary target and Wan Kasa and Momenyiat formations as secondary target. As well as small discoveries have been made in the Tahara and Mrar, Ras Hamia and Tanezufft formations. The scope of this project was to study the distribution of Tahara and Mrar formations to look for new potential areas. To provide a better understanding of the structural and stratigraphic framework and regional hydrocarbon prospectivity, A regional N-S cross-section (700 km) through the Ghadames Basin was constructed by using LandMark StratWork software. The information shown on it is based on well logging data from 36 wells. These wells penetrated the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and the crystalline basement. The correlation of the stratigraphic units between the wells was done using a variety of wireline logs (e.g. gamma-ray, spontaneous potential, resistivity and sonic). The sandstone units in the Tahara and Mrar formation could provide a good opportunity to explore for stratigraphic traps. These intervals are recommended for study in more details in the future using all the available information.

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Adebo Babatunde A, Jemiriwon Emmanuel Tope and Ilugbo Stephen Olubusola

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.2478/pjg-2021-0010

This research evaluates aquifer vulnerability within Lead City University Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Multi-Criteria Evaluation Techniques were used for obtaining this aim, with the model which is based on hydraulic conductivity, longitudinal conductance, topsoil resistivity, and thickness of layer overlying aquifer of each sounding point within the entire investigated area for future groundwater development. Electrical Resistivity method using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) techniques was obtained across the investigated area using Schlumberger configuration. Twenty (20) VES data points were acquired using Omega Resistivity Meter with maximum current electrode separation (AB/2) of 65 m. The geoelectric results were used to determine second-order parameters and subsequently used to model different geoelectric maps. Three subsurface geoelectric layers were delineated across the investigated area which comprises topsoil, weathered layer, and fresh basement. In this research work, four different aquifer vulnerability parameters; Topsoil Resistivity (TSR), Longitudinal Conductance (LC), Thickness of Layer Overlying Aquifer (TLOA), and Hydraulic Conductivity (HC) were generated and integrated to model the aquifer vulnerability map. It was observed that a small closure at the southwestern and northeastern parts is indicative of a high aquifer vulnerability zone. Moderate aquifer vulnerability zone was observed at the northeastern, southwestern, and western parts of the study area, while low aquifer vulnerability zone was observed at the northern, southern, southeastern, southwestern, central, northeastern, and northwestern parts of the study area. Also, a very low aquifer vulnerability zone was observed in the southwestern part of the study area. The results obtained, indicates that the investigated area is an area of low aquifer vulnerability.