The Integration of 2D and 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Volumetric Investigation of Geologic Formations in a Sedimentary Terrain

  • Murphy Ogiemwonyi Iduseri Department of Physics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
  • Osisanya Olajuwon Wasiu Department of Physics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
  • Avwenaghegha O. Jude Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro, Nigeria
  • Korode Akinjide Isaac Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Nigeria
  • Amoyedo Abiodun Adekunle Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Nigeria
Keywords: Geologic formations, Electrical resistivity imaging, Volumetric estimation, Sedimentary terrain, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

In a wide variety of research fields, including agriculture, botany, road construction and mineral exploration, it is crucial to analyse the volume of dominant geologic formations in an area especially those of very high economic importance. Volumetric evaluation of geologic formations is an essential stride towards economic and local content development. Ten (10) 2D geoelectrical resistivity profiles were gathered in parallel and perpendicular equidistant lines using the Wenner array with maximum electrodes spread of 200m to investigate the subsurface geological stratification in both the vertical and horizontal direction at Obaretin community in the Edo State, Nigeria. Using Earth Imager 2D software, 2D resistivity-depth models were created from the 2D resistivity dataset with the use of wenner aray. In order to create a 3D depth slice and a 3D block model for the subsurface stratification, the survey dataset was compiled into a single 3D data set and inverted using Res3Dinv software and Voxler 4.0 programs. The 2D resisitivity imaging results revealed three geo-electric major layers at Obaretin, which are indicative of topsoil, silt sand, clayey sand, and lateritic sand with sandstone intercalations as the dominant geologic formations in the study area. The Resistivity lithology of the study area also showed three geo-electric subsurface layers to an appreciable depth of 40 m for Silt sand, topsoil (299 – 1791 Ωm), lateritic sand with sandstones intercalations (985 – 3253 Ωm), and clayey sand (48.9 – 1791 Ωm) were delineated. The study revealed that the dominant formations are laterite, silt sand and clayey sand which showed an estimated volumetrics of 373,508m3, 520,320 m3 and 194,800 m3 per two million m3 respectively which are in high economic quantities. Hence, the adoption of 2D and 3D electrical resistivity imaging has aided the successful volumetric assessment of geologic formations which are of high economic value in the study area.

 

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Published
2023-05-10
Section
Articles