Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems
Accurate characterization of aquifers requires comprehensive understanding of groundwater hydraulic properties. Traditional aquifer assessment techniques are usually insufficient in characterizing hydrostratigraphic variability, leading to inaccurate prediction of aquifer flow dynamics. To address t...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-11-01
|
| Series: | Geosystems and Geoenvironment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772883825000822 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849728502122676224 |
|---|---|
| author | Ndifreke I. Udosen Kufre R. Ekanem Nyakno J. George |
| author_facet | Ndifreke I. Udosen Kufre R. Ekanem Nyakno J. George |
| author_sort | Ndifreke I. Udosen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Accurate characterization of aquifers requires comprehensive understanding of groundwater hydraulic properties. Traditional aquifer assessment techniques are usually insufficient in characterizing hydrostratigraphic variability, leading to inaccurate prediction of aquifer flow dynamics. To address these limitations, this work integrated geoelectrical stratigraphy with hydraulic flow unit, flow zone indicator, and stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot strategies, the goal being to enhance the resolution of aquifer characterization along river channels and tributaries in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. Unlike conventional approaches, the stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot (SMLP) provided a more precise strategy for quantifying permeability distribution within the heterogeneous aquifer system, enabling enhanced prediction of aquifer performance. Furthermore, SMLP delineated flow efficiency across the distinct hydrostratigraphic units. Results indicated the presence of four hydraulic flow units, with individual units exhibiting distinctive transmissivity properties. Computed inclination angles of the four flow units were 34°, 29°, 49°, and 33°, respectively, and these indicated the extent of hydraulic efficiency. Hydraulic flow units 1, 3, and 4 had higher transmissivity and were key conduits for groundwater flow. Hydraulic flow unit 2, on the other hand, had reduced transmissivity, indicating restricted fluid migration. The techniques employed in this study enhanced subsurface characterization and generated high-resolution and cost-effective strategies for delineating high-yield aquifer zones within river channels and tributaries with better accuracy than with use of traditional hydrogeological models. These findings are important for optimizing groundwater resource management in the study area and analogous hydrogeological settings worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bbcc9d95c99046b6ae3c33452ba79fdc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2772-8838 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosystems and Geoenvironment |
| spelling | doaj-art-bbcc9d95c99046b6ae3c33452ba79fdc2025-08-20T03:09:33ZengElsevierGeosystems and Geoenvironment2772-88382025-11-014410043410.1016/j.geogeo.2025.100434Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systemsNdifreke I. Udosen0Kufre R. Ekanem1Nyakno J. George2Geophysics Research Group, Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria; Corresponding author.Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, NigeriaGeophysics Research Group, Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, NigeriaAccurate characterization of aquifers requires comprehensive understanding of groundwater hydraulic properties. Traditional aquifer assessment techniques are usually insufficient in characterizing hydrostratigraphic variability, leading to inaccurate prediction of aquifer flow dynamics. To address these limitations, this work integrated geoelectrical stratigraphy with hydraulic flow unit, flow zone indicator, and stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot strategies, the goal being to enhance the resolution of aquifer characterization along river channels and tributaries in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. Unlike conventional approaches, the stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot (SMLP) provided a more precise strategy for quantifying permeability distribution within the heterogeneous aquifer system, enabling enhanced prediction of aquifer performance. Furthermore, SMLP delineated flow efficiency across the distinct hydrostratigraphic units. Results indicated the presence of four hydraulic flow units, with individual units exhibiting distinctive transmissivity properties. Computed inclination angles of the four flow units were 34°, 29°, 49°, and 33°, respectively, and these indicated the extent of hydraulic efficiency. Hydraulic flow units 1, 3, and 4 had higher transmissivity and were key conduits for groundwater flow. Hydraulic flow unit 2, on the other hand, had reduced transmissivity, indicating restricted fluid migration. The techniques employed in this study enhanced subsurface characterization and generated high-resolution and cost-effective strategies for delineating high-yield aquifer zones within river channels and tributaries with better accuracy than with use of traditional hydrogeological models. These findings are important for optimizing groundwater resource management in the study area and analogous hydrogeological settings worldwide.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772883825000822Aquifer heterogeneityElectrical resistivityGroundwater transmissivityPermeability-porosity relationshipStratigraphic modified Lorenz plotSubsurface hydrostratigraphy |
| spellingShingle | Ndifreke I. Udosen Kufre R. Ekanem Nyakno J. George Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems Geosystems and Geoenvironment Aquifer heterogeneity Electrical resistivity Groundwater transmissivity Permeability-porosity relationship Stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot Subsurface hydrostratigraphy |
| title | Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems |
| title_full | Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems |
| title_fullStr | Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems |
| title_short | Hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high-resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems |
| title_sort | hydrostratigraphic characterization using geoelectrostratigraphic information and hydraulic flow unit analysis for high resolution aquifer mapping in heterogeneous systems |
| topic | Aquifer heterogeneity Electrical resistivity Groundwater transmissivity Permeability-porosity relationship Stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot Subsurface hydrostratigraphy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772883825000822 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ndifrekeiudosen hydrostratigraphiccharacterizationusinggeoelectrostratigraphicinformationandhydraulicflowunitanalysisforhighresolutionaquifermappinginheterogeneoussystems AT kufrerekanem hydrostratigraphiccharacterizationusinggeoelectrostratigraphicinformationandhydraulicflowunitanalysisforhighresolutionaquifermappinginheterogeneoussystems AT nyaknojgeorge hydrostratigraphiccharacterizationusinggeoelectrostratigraphicinformationandhydraulicflowunitanalysisforhighresolutionaquifermappinginheterogeneoussystems |