ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL USING DAR ZARROUK PARAMETERS IN THE BASEMENT COMPLEX TERRAIN OF JALINGO, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA
Access to reliable groundwater resources is critical in the crystalline basement complex regions of Jalingo, north-eastern Nigeria, where surface water availability is limited and seasonal. Despite the increasing dependence on groundwater, challenges persist in accurately identifying productive zones due to the complex and variable nature of the subsurface. This study seeks to address the gap in hydrogeological information and improve borehole siting strategies through the application of Dar Zarrouk parameters. The objective of this research is to evaluate groundwater potential within the Jalingo basement terrain using geophysical techniques, particularly vertical electrical sounding (VES), with a focus on the interpretation of Dar Zarrouk parameters�namely, longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance. A total of 15 VES surveys were carried out using the Schlumberger array configuration. The field data were analysed through a combination of manual curve matching and 1D computer-based inversion. These results provided resistivity and thickness values for subsurface layers, which were then used to derive the relevant Dar Zarrouk parameters. These parameters served as indicators for assessing aquifer capacity and protective characteristics. The interpretation of the data revealed that the area is dominated by weathered and fractured basement rock, with significant spatial variability in aquifer potential. Zones characterized by longitudinal conductance values exceeding 1.0 siemens (S) were considered to have good aquifer protection, while areas with transverse resistance above 1000 ohmmeter squared (?m�) were identified as favourable for groundwater development. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future groundwater development efforts in the Jalingo area prioritize locations exhibiting high conductance and resistance values. In addition, integrating these results with remote sensing data, lineament mapping, and hydrogeological information is suggested to improve the accuracy of groundwater exploration and resource management in the region.
Authors : Mohammed, A.H.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 11(2) Date Uploaded : 4th August 2025