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Near-Surface Crustal Architecture and Geohydrodynamics of the Crystalline Basement Terrain of Araromi, Akungba-Akoko, SW Nigeria, Derived from Multi-Geophysical Methods

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Abstract

Integrated coplanar loop electromagnetic conductivity method, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding (VES) methods were deployed to investigate the near-surface crustal architecture and geohydrodynamics of the crystalline basement terrain of Araromi, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. The study aimed at understanding the spatial distributions of groundwater, and soil moistures with exhumed crustal structures, to alleviate groundwater deficit, and the failure of engineering structural foundations in this area. Six geophysical survey traverses of varying lengths were explored, with eight VES stations selected for further investigations on the lithostratigraphic model for constraint and deeper probing. The measured conductivities over the study area varied in the range of 3.0–35.19 mS/m. The results coincided with the ERT responses for the motley topsoil, clayey to sandy weathered strata, partially weathered/fractured bedrock, and fresh gneissic bedrock. A, AK, HA, and KQ types of curves pictured the varying depths of the deep-weathered troughs, and the fractures (i.e., F1 to F21), arising from the prevalent intense metamorphism and progressive weathering in the area. The geohydrodynamic systems of the study area’s crustal architecture were attributed to water–rock interactions within the geologic structures. Also, the depths of the fractured zones extending more than 52 m in some sections enhanced the spatial groundwater storage, despite the thin overburden (i.e., < 4 m). The residual soils’ water retention is credited to clayey soils from the rich feldspathic bedrock. Hence, the results obtained suggest that intended wells and boreholes should take advantage of the deep-weathered and fractured zones, with average depths of 11 m and > 39 m, respectively, to ameliorate the deficit of groundwater supply in the area. Furthermore, failures of engineering structural foundations are likely to occur at highly conductive sections (i.e., > 20 mS/m), oscillating bedrock surfaces, floating boulders, and stiffer soils under incompetent strata, and conductive thin and large-size apertures. The study demonstrated the advantages of integrating multi-geophysical methods of data collection and analysis.

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Acknowledgments

The Department of Earth Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, is appreciated for providing the field equipment used for this study. We also appreciate the facilities and the conducive environment provided by the Geophysics Unit, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia to perform this research. The first author thanks Andy Anderson Bery, Ph.D., for his professional mentoring. Finally, we are grateful for the comments and suggestions of the Editor-in-Chief and the two anonymous reviewers, which have significantly improved the readability of the manuscript.

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  1. Adedibu Sunny Akingboye

    Present address: Geophysics Unit, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, 001, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Adedibu Sunny Akingboye & Ayanfe Moses Asulewon

  2. Geophysics Unit, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Andy Anderson Bery & John Stephen Kayode

  3. Department of Earth and Physical Sciences, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Rereloluwa Bello

  4. Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

    Okechukwu Ebuka Agbasi

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  1. Adedibu Sunny Akingboye
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Appendices

Appendix 1: Composite Results of 2D ERT Inversion Beneath TR1

figure a

Appendix 2: Composite Results of 2D ERT Inversion Beneath TR6

figure b

Appendix 3: Typical Iterated Ves Curve Types Generated for the Study Area

See Figure 11.

Figure 11
figure 11

(a) A type. (b) H type. (c) HA type. (d) AK type

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Akingboye, A.S., Bery, A.A., Kayode, J.S. et al. Near-Surface Crustal Architecture and Geohydrodynamics of the Crystalline Basement Terrain of Araromi, Akungba-Akoko, SW Nigeria, Derived from Multi-Geophysical Methods. Nat Resour Res 31, 215–236 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-021-10000-z

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