Groundwater Contamination Prediction Using Finite Element Derived Geoelectric Parameters Constrained by Chemical Analysis around a Sewage Site, Southwestern Nigeria

Oyelowo G. Bayowa, Dele E. Falebita, Martin O. Olorunfemi, Adekunle A. Adepelumi

Department of Earth Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2012.32045                

Abstract

Vertical Electrical Sounding, the Finite Element Technique (FET) and chemical analysis of soil samples were used to map the pollution plume around two oxidation sewage ponds in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria. The elemental concentrations of the soil samples at 5 m depth around the sewage ponds were obtained using partial extraction of exchangeable metals ions of (0.05 HCl + 0.025 N H2SO4) or 0.075 N acid mixture. The VES interpreted results delineated three to four geoelectric subsurface layers comprising topsoil, laterite, weathered layer and the fresh basement. The elemental concentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cr in the soil samples located at the periphery of the sewage ponds are much higher than those of the control sample point indicating pollution. The finite element generated isopach map of the overburden indicates easterly direction of groundwater flow and weathered layer isoresistivity map generated using the finite element technique identifies low resistivity zone characteristic of pollution zone in the eastern flank. The study concluded that the groundwater in the area around the sewage ponds may have been polluted.

Keywords

Contamination; Finite Element; Sewage; Groundwater; Nigeria

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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