Investigating groundwater potential in northeastern basement complexes: A Pulka case study using geospatial and geo-electrical techniques

Abstract

Groundwater is a crucial resource for communities and plays a significant role in the economy, especially in regions where surface water sources are limited or unreliable. Nigerian Northeastern basement complexes are unique geologic formations with specific hydrological characteristics that impact groundwater availability and quality. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information on groundwater potential in these areas, hindering effective resource management. To address this gap, this study focuses on the application of geospatial and electrical techniques to map and assess groundwater potential in Pulka, a northeastern basement complex in Nigeria. This research used geospatial methodology to delineate groundwater-prospective areas in Pulka, Northern Nigeria, with the aid of a VES technique that was integrated with the Schlumberger electrode configuration, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), which were used as input datasets. Lineament and drainage density, lithology and slope, land use and land cover, and thematic maps were created as GIS input rasters. The value estimates were allotted based on a pair-wise examination of elements that appeared to be important in groundwater accumulation, retention, and transportation. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in GIS software to incorporate five maps of components impacting the suitability of groundwater and movement using weighted layering. The hydraulic conductivity and longitudinal conductance of Pulka are greatest towards the west, with maximum values of 0.0665 m/day and 1.75 S, respectively. Transverse resistance and transmissivity are greatest in the eastern section of Pulka, with maximum values of 48.29 m2/day and 9000 m, respectively. Based on our research using SRTM, the most important elements for groundwater potential were soil type, which represented 43%; lineament density, which represented 33%; slope, with 13%; drainage density, with 7%; and land use and land cover, which accounted for the least (around 4% of overall contributions). Pulka has enormous groundwater development potential for sustainable and profitable extractions, according to analysis based on geospatial and geo-electrical techniques.