Francis Onyemaechi Chukwusa, Y. S. Onifade, Victor Babasola Olaseni, Moses Oghenenyoreme Eyankware
This study evaluated aquifer potential and protective capacity in parts of Asaba Metropolis, using fifteen Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) with the Schlumberger array. The ABEM Terrameter SAS 1000 was used and the maximum current electrode spacing (AB/2) was 300 m. Geoelectrical data were interpreted using WINRESIST and integrated with Dar-Zarrouk parameters to estimate hydraulic conductivity (K) and transmissivity (T). The subsurface comprises three to six geoelectric layers. Aquifer resistivity ranges from 156.0 Ωm to 7365.2 Ωm, aquifer thickness from 3.0 m to 33.7 m, and aquifer depth from 4.9 m to 39.8 m. Longitudinal conductance (S) varies from 0.0111 ℧ to 0.1236 ℧, indicating predominantly poor overburden protective capacity and high vulnerability to surface contamination. Hydraulic conductivity ranges from 0.095 m/day to 3.477 m/day, while transmissivity varies from 0.602 m²/day to 53.353 m²/day, with the highest values occurring in the southwestern sector, indicating the most productive aquifers. High transverse resistance, anisotropy and fracture porosity further delineate favourable groundwater-bearing zones. This study concludes that the integrated geoelectrical approach effectively identified aquifer geometry, groundwater potential and vulnerability, providing a scientific basis for borehole siting, groundwater protection and sustainable water-resource management in parts of Asaba and similar Niger Delta sedimentary terrains.