Browsing by Author "Akakuru, O.C.,"

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    Characterizing gully‑prone zones using geophysical and geotechnical approaches: a case study of Njaba South‑Eastern Nigeria
    (SPRINGER, 2023-11-14) Akakuru, O.C.,; Opara, A.I.; Aigbadon, G.O.,; Usman, A.O.,; Ibeneme, S.I.,; Iheme, K.O.,; Njoku, A.O.,; Akudinobi, B.E.B.
    Over the years, Njaba has been known to be bedeviled with worrying gully erosion challenges. This is attributed to the geologic makeup of the soil and other environmental factors. Geophysical and geotechnical characterization of the soil within Njaba and its environs has been carried out with the aim of determining the potentials in the development and enhancement of gullies within the area. 23 vertical electrical sounding were conducted using Schlumberger array configuration with maximum current electrode spacing of 350 m, while two soil samples were also collected for geotechnical studies. The first layers were used to categorize the soils into competence and corrosive soils. Qualitative interpretation reveals that the sites are characterized by six (6) resistivity type curves, namely; 6-HK, 2-AK, 3-KH, 2-QH, 4-KK, 2-AH. The results from the iso-resistivity showed that the resistivities of the layers increased progressively with depth as the maximum electrode spacing increased. The transverse resistance calculated varies from 1408950 to 30987 Ωm, and the longitudinal conductance varies from 0.03163 to 0.00099876 mho. From the competence and corrosivity rating, the soils were categorized from highly competent to moderately competent for the competence categories with varying resistivities of 2800 to 154 Ωm and for the corrosivity category, soils were categorized from essentially non-corrosive to mildly corrosive soils with varying resistance of 182.0 to 154.0 Ωm. The coefficient of anisotropy determined averages 1.25, 1.14 and 1.06 at three different sites. The results of the compaction tests indicate that the Optimum Moisture Content ranged from 11.1–11.5% is required to achieve Maximum Dry Density of the samples ranging from 0.18–2.15 mg/m3. From the study, it can be ascertained that the soil is of low compressibility. The study suggests among others that surface and subsurface flows and drainage should be controlled by directing water through concrete channels into lined artificial reservoirs or straight into lakes or river plains.
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    Hydrogeochemical profiling and suitability evaluation of groundwater for industrial and municipal applications in the Southern Anambra Basin, Nigeria
    (University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia., 2026) Iheme, K.O.,; Akakuru, O.C.,; Abubakar, H.O.,; Usman, A.O.,; Alebiosu, M.T.,; Obaro, R.I.,; Olelewe, M.C.,; Omorinoye, O.A.
    Groundwater’s hydrogeochemical properties play a crucial role in determining its suitability for industrial and municipal applications. This study assessed groundwater in the Southern Anambra Basin, Nigeria, by analyzing its physicochemical characteristics and applying hydrogeochemical and industrial water quality indices. A total of fifty-five (55) groundwater samples were systematically collected from boreholes across the study area. Samples were analyzed for key physicochemical parameters, including pH, EC, TDS, major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) and anions (HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻). Data were interpreted using Piper, Gibbs, and Gaillardet diagrams, along with saturation indices and chloro-alkaline indices, to identify hydrogeochemical facies and dominant processes. Industrial suitability was evaluated using the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Aggressive Index (AI), and Puckorius Index (PI). The study aimed to (1) characterize the hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater in the Southern Anambra Basin; (2) determine the dominant geochemical processes influencing groundwater chemistry; and (3) assess the suitability of groundwater for industrial and municipal systems based on its scaling and corrosive tendencies. The results reveal that groundwater is mainly of the Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺–HCO₃⁻ and Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺–SO₄²⁻–Cl⁻ facies, dominated by rock–water interactions. Saturation index values for minerals such as calcite, dolomite, and gypsum were <0, indicating undersaturation and a tendency toward dissolution. LSI, AI, and PI values ranged from −3.22 to −0.03, 8.61 to 11.89, and 3.84 to 8.31, respectively implying a high corrosivity and low scaling potential of groundwater within the study area. These findings suggest that the water poses a corrosion risk to metallic industrial and municipal infrastructure. Mitigation measures such as corrosion-resistant materials and pH adjustment are recommended to preserve system integrity.