Geological Behavior (GBR)

This research is aimed at carrying out geophysical survey for groundwater in parts of Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, using the Schlumberger electrode configuration of vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique. The field data were obtained using ABEM terrameter SAS1000 which was applied on eight VES location, a maximum distance of 300m current electrode spacing was used in the eight vertical electrical sounding points. Data acquired were interpreted using IPIN2Win 2022 version and Surfer13 softwares. The results obtained showed a 4-layers type A curve for Rumuepirikom and Rumuolumini VES locations, 5-layers type A curve for Rumuosi VES location, 4 and 5-layers type H curve for Ozuoba and Eneka VES locations respectively, 5-layers type K curve for Egbelu VES location and 4-layers type HK curve for Rukpoku and Rumuola VES locations. The apparent resistivity values range from 29.3344 – 252898.2075Ωm for Egbelu, 22.6195 – 674.0601Ωm for Rukpoku, 1.0631 – 230.9071Ωm for Rumuepirikom, 29.5833 – 600.8296Ωm for Rumuosi, 32.9867 – 561.5283Ωm for Rumuola, 29.0597 – 458.4212Ωm for Ozuoba, 29.0597 – 134.0413Ωm for Rumuolumini and 71.2094 – 338.1611Ωm for Eneka VES locations, and shows that Rumuepirikom and Rumuolumini are the most groundwater potential zones, thus will yield sufficient groundwater to wells, while Egbelu and Rukpoku are the least groundwater potential zones, thus will not yield sufficient groundwater to wells. The knowledge of this study can be applied in groundwater resources management, hydrological studies and regional town planning programs.

Ornatodella Anan is introduced here to elucidate a new Ypresian Rotaliid benthic foraminiferal genus, which represents a transition from between the two benthic foraminiferal genera: Ornatanomalina Haque, 1956 (with the spiraling ribs in the end stage of coiling) and Saudella Hasson, 1985 (with pustule in the early stage). According to Loeblich & Tappan the two genera: Ornatanomalina Haque and Saudella Hasson appear to be both congeneric, which doesn’t accepted here. Ornatodella n. gen. may represents an excellent biostratigraphic marker of the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, zone E1).

The agglutinated test of the genus Arenobulimina has trochospirally enrolled, four or more chambers per whorl, aperture interiomarginal with a simple arch or loop, which has a comprising various species. Seven small Upper Cretaceous-Oligocene benthic foraminiferal species of this agglutinated genus Arenobulimina are common in some Tethyan localities: North Atlantic (USA, Trinidad, Labrador Sea), Europe (Spain, France, Germany, Czech, Poland, Sweden), Northeast Africa (Egypt), and Southwest Asia (Palestine, UAE). These species are: Upper Cretaceous A. americana Cushman, Late Maastrichtian A. beitjebrinensis Anan and A. jerusalemensis Anan, Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene A. truncata (Reuss), Paleocene Arenobulimina aegyptiaca (Said & Kenawy) and Paleocene-Eocene A. dorbignyi (Reuss). One Early Eocene – Early-Oligocene species Arenobulimina kaminskii is believed here to be new species.

The study deals with the Geophysical investigation of Iwo and Ilesha, Osun State, using aeromagnetic data. Qualitative as well as quantitative interpretation of the aeromagnetic data were carried out to obtain more information about the thickness of sedimentary basins. Two methods were used in the interpretation; there are Euler deconvolution method and source parameter imaging (SPI). Oasis Montaj software was employed in the analysis, the Magnetic intensity ranges from a minimum value of -22.7 nT to a maximum value of 110.4 nT, this indicate that the area is characterised with low and high magnetic signature and could be as a result of difference in magnetic susceptibility, depth and the nature of the magnetic anomalous bodies present. The depth for magnetic source ranges from 187.6 to 1005.5 m using parameter imaging (SPI).Using Euler deconvolution method, the depth estimation for structural index (SI = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5) ranges from 300 m to 25481m, 262.9m to 1826.2m and 391.0m to 3243.6m respectively. The results obtained indicate shallow depths to magnetic anomalies which may not be suitable for hydrocarbon accumulation.

Landslides are one of the most dangerous and frequent natural hazards worldwide and in Pakistan, wreaking havoc on society and the economy. Susceptibility mapping, as well as geological and geotechnical investigations, are the focus of this study on the Plang landslide in Neelam Valley, Pakistan’s Lesser Himalayas. This landslide’s causes and solutions were determined by a combination of geotechnical soil testing, longitudinal profiles, geological mapping, seismicity, roadcut, and rainfall assessments. The greatest concentration of landslides (as measured by both number of occurrences and slope gradient) was found on slopes with a gradient of between 31 and 40 degrees (33.5%). Most landslides (33.75%) happened facing south-east, according to the spatial link between the number of landslides and the slope aspect. To determine landslip causes and triggers, geotechnical studies were conducted. Complex debris flow and slump failure characterize the Plang landslip. Sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, specific gravity and study of disturbed soil samples show that Plang landslip soils are silty sand to clayey sand with plasticity index (PI) of 4.4%. The study depicts that drainage network, anthropogenic activities along steep slopes, fragile geology, active faults, freeze, and thaw action are influential parameters which significantly contribute to the landslide events.

This research is aimed at determining the protolith of metasediments that underpin the geology of Bugaji region of Kano State. The study area was mapped systematically and the lithologies encountered include phyllite, undifferentiated schist, quartzo-feldspathic schist, and gneiss. Samples taken from several outcrops were subjected to mineralogical and geochemical analyses using X-ray diffraction and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), respectively. The metasedimentary rocks have evidently undergone significant deformation textures (foliation, lineation, and fractures), and metamorphism, indicating the area is situated in a tectonically active zone. Quartz, feldspar, mica, and a number of accessory minerals make up majority of the metasediments, while the geochemical data show enrichment of aluminum, silica, and iron. The geochemical indicators support the idea that the rocks developed on a continental margin. The mineralogy and geochemistry indicate the rocks likely came from a source region with a predominance of granitic rocks.

The usefulness of groundwater vulnerability mapping cannot be overemphasized in planning, policy formulation and decision-making for groundwater management and protection. The present study employed geographic information system based overlay and index methods (DRASTIC, DRASTIC-LU, GOD and AVI models) in assessing and mapping groundwater vulnerability zones in Ile Oluji area of Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria. The models’ parameters were prepared using hydrogeological (well/borehole) data, geophysical data, and satellite imageries. The weightage of different parameters was done using analytical hierarchy process. The DRASTIC map classified the area into the low vulnerability (30 % of the area), moderate (4%), high-vulnerability zone (60 %), and very high vulnerability zone (6 %). The DRASTIC-LU distinguished the area into high – very high groundwater vulnerability zone (90 %), while low – moderately low area has 10 % aerial extent. The GOD and AVI models, categorized the vulnerable areas into quite low (<0.03) to low (0.03 – 0.3); and high (0.98 – 1.85) to extremely high (<0.98) vulnerability zones respectively. As a result, the DRASTIC, DRASTIC-LU, and AVI models all showed predominate high vulnerability zone, which was also confirmed by the nitrate map. The index values in the DRASTIC and DRASTIC-LU models revealed significant overlap. Therefore, in the research region, slope, hydraulic conductivity, net recharge, soil medium, and depth to water level are the factors that have the greatest influence on groundwater quality. Due to the significant number of highly vulnerable places, the aquifers must be protected immediately.

The Banket Series, which is a paleoplacer deposit, is the third formation in the stratigraphy of Tarkwaian Supergroup. This project seeks to study petrographically; the lithologies in the banket series to confirm the rocks identity as already known or state otherwise. Two different photomicrographs of each of the rock samples, coupled by their petrographic descriptions were obtained from the laboratory. The main areas of our arguments were based in Bowen’s reaction series, metamorphic facies of the rocks, the earth structure and thermodynamic phase diagrams. The sampled rocks can be confirmed with the help of thin sections and mineral facies to be conglomerate, dolerite and quartzite. The minerals in the banket series range in temperature between 200°C and 800°C. The abundance of silica (SiO2) in the rocks conglomerate, dolerite and quartzite are of crustal origin, whereas pyroxene and olivine originate from the upper mantle. The common stable minerals in the studied rocks, namely, amphibole, chlorite and plagioclase are less likely to change compared to the other minerals in the rocks. The three (3) different metamorphic facies of the rocks conglomerate, dolerite and quartzite are respectively greenschist, epidote-amphibolite and amphibolite facies.

The Hawal Basement Complex is located in Nigeria’s NE region. Satellite imagery used in this study covers longitude 12º 00’ to 13º 30’E, and latitudes 9º 30’ to 11º 00’N. The aim of the study is to decipher the regional geologic structures based on analysis and to determine the mineralization implications from the landsat lineament data. The total land surface area covered is about 23,674.88 km2 and includes part of the north sector of Yola sedimentary Rift Basin. The data consists of LANDSAT TM and SPOT XS scenes collated as mosaics. The imagery was monoscopically studied. Classical aerial imagery interpretation techniques of mapping lineaments and tracing regional geological boundaries were used. A total of 368 lineaments were mapped and analyzed using multi-graphical analytical techniques. The results are presented as isolinear contour maps (isodensity and lineaments intersection maps). The isodensity lineament maps show two main areas of lineament concentrations, namely Shani area lying westward and Michika-Mubi area to the east. Reasons advanced for the preponderance of lineaments in parts of the study area are the combined effects of isostatic basement uplift and lithospheric stretching during the formation of Yola Rift and Chad Basin respectively, which caused large scale crustal deformations. Also, Precambrian and Cenozoic magmatic activities that caused emplacements of older granites and basaltic bodies respectively in the area contributed to fracturation of the crust. Fewer lineaments are observed over the sedimentary Rift zone and this is attributed to masking effect of the sediments on basement fractures. The lineament intersection map shows a prominent NE-SW zone of highest intersection which is parallel to the general flow direction of the Hawal River. Prominent lineament directions are N-S (0-20º), and NE-SW (40º- 60º), which are Pan African Orogenic directions. Aerogeological studies of this type are important in national economic development.

This study is focused on the interpretation of structural style in Wabi field in the Niger Delta Nigeria using seismic and well log data. From the results, faults and horizons correlated on Wabi wells tied perfectly to reflections on the seismic. The faulting pattern shows that the structural geometry over the Wabi field consist of an elongated N-W to S-E trending, collapsed crest, roll-over structure with two crests separated by a central saddle. Based on their lateral extent and throws Faults in Wabi Field is classified into boundary faults that confined the Wabi structure, synthetic and antithetic faults are within the crestal roll-over structure. The interplay of these faults, combined with the structural dip, provides the closure for the hydrocarbon accumulation within the field. Hydrocarbons in the field are encountered between 9,560 and 12,750ftss, and are contained within 3 stacked B, O, and R1 reservoirs in crestally collapsed rollover anticline. The reservoirs are predominantly shore face and are correlatable throughout the Field. Well correlation and sand analysis showed that sand R1 was the thickest sand unit by 320ft. Sand B is the thinnest sand unit in Wabi Field, it is 50ft. Results from this study provides interpretation and modelling of structural and stratigraphic interplays that would help in understanding of the feature and factors that control them reservoirs thereby creating room for predictive models that can be applied in other reservoirs at greater depth prospects. This helps to make informed decisions for optimum exploration and development of hydrocarbons in the field of study.