Hydrogeological characterization of fissured aquifers in the crystalline basement zone of Dimbokro, Côte d'Ivoire: integrated approach by remote sensing and statistical analysis

Water availability in the crystalline basement formations of Dimbokro, Côte d'Ivoire, is limited by low rock porosity and the complexity of fissured aquifers. The present study aims to characterize the underlying surface weathering and fissure aquifers through an integrated approach combining hydrogeology, multispectral remote sensing and geostatistical analysis. The data comes from 110 boreholes and 47 field stations, coupled with the analysis of lineaments extracted from Landsat 7 ETM+ images. The results reveal a strong heterogeneity of alteration thicknesses (30-60 m optimal for productivity) and average flow rates (3.42-5.28 m³/h), while satellite imagery can detect the dominant fracturing directions (N0-10° and N90-100°) more efficiently compared to aerial photography. The analysis of fracturing-induced permeability shows a trimodal spatial distribution, confirming the importance of major fractures in hydraulic connectivity. These results provide an operational framework for the optimized drilling and sustainable management of fissured aquifers in crystalline basement.