ESTIMATION OF SEDIMENTARY AQUIFER’S PARAMETERS WITHIN IDAH AND ENVIRONS, PART OF NORTHERN ANAMBRA BASIN, NIGERIA

Due to increase in population and pollution of surface water, there is high demand for groundwater within the area.As such, this research aimed at investigating the groundwater potential and aquifer protective capacity using vertical electrical sounding (VES) and computation of Dar-Zarrouk parameters.40 locations were investigated using Schlumberger array, data was analyzed manually and final plot was processed using WinResist.The value of aquifer resistivity and thickness were used to compute the Dar-Zarrouk parameters; final map was produced using Surfer software.VES result showed 4-6 layers.The layers are top soil, lateritic, compacted sandstone, Sandstone/clay/clayey sand, Aquiferous sandstone/sandy clay and highly compacted sandstone/shale.Curve types are AK, K, HA, KH, A, AH, and HK.Aquifer resistivity and thickness values range from 19.6 m to 8986.9 m and 2 m to 84.6 m having mean value of 1769.66m and 29.52m.Depth to groundwater varies from 6.8 m to 144.6 m indicating shallow and deeper aquifer depth.Longitudinal conductance (Lc) and transverse unit resistance (Tr) value ranges from 0.0052 siemens to 2.9898 siemens and 435.2 m 2 to 584391.4m 2 , average value of 0.2455 siemens and 52860.83m 2 .Hydraulic conductivity (K) and transmissivity (T) value ranges from 0.0793 m/day to 24.0759 m/day and 0.3725 m 2 /day to 1410.846 m 2 /day and mean value of 3.6192 m/day and 122.5311 m 2 /day.According to the interpreted result, the research region has moderate to high groundwater potential and poor to good protective capacity.As a result, the outcome can be used as a reference point in groundwater monitoring and management.