Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in Assessing Groundwater Pollution and Sustainable Water Resource Development in Oil Spill Contaminated Sites: Evidence from Domuubonatom, B-Dere, Gokana, Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria

Penu; Kpobari Meshack Success; Udom; Godwin Joseph; PhD; Giadom; Ferdinard Dumbari PhD

doi:10.56201/wjimt.v10.no3.2026.pg139.145

📄 Download Paper

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in Assessing Groundwater Pollution and Sustainable Water Resource Development in Oil Spill Contaminated Sites: Evidence from Domuubonatom, B-Dere, Gokana, Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria

Penu, Kpobari Meshack Success, Udom, Godwin Joseph, PhD, Giadom, Ferdinard Dumbari PhD

Abstract

Groundwater contamination resulting from oil spills poses a major threat to water security and public health in oil-producing regions of the Niger Delta. This study applies Electrical Resistivity Tomography to evaluate the degree of groundwater pollution, determine safe depths for potable water abstraction, and propose appropriate remediation strategies in Domuubonatom, B- Dere, Gokana, Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria. ERT surveys were conducted along multiple profiles using the Wenner–Schlumberger configuration to obtain high-resolution subsurface resistivity data. The inverted resistivity models revealed distinct anomalies associated with hydrocarbon contamination, particularly within shallow aquifer zones. Results indicate that groundwater within depths of approximately 2–12 m is significantly impacted, while deeper zones beyond 18–25 m show relatively lower contamination signatures. The findings suggest that potable water development should target deeper confined aquifers to minimize health risks. Furthermore, the study identifies varying degrees of contamination intensity, ranging from moderate to severe, depending on lithological and hydrological conditions. Based on these insights, tailored remediation strategies, including bioremediation and monitored natural attenuation, are recommended. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of ERT in groundwater quality assessment and provides a scientific basis for sustainable water resource management in hydrocarbon- impacted environments.

Keywords

Groundwater PollutionElectrical Resistivity TomographyHydrocarbon ContaminationWater Resource ManagementNiger DeltaRemediation Strategies

References

Adepelumi, A. A., Ako, B. D., & Ajayi, T. R. (2009). Groundwater contamination in basement complex areas of southwestern Nigeria: A geophysical study. Hydrogeology Journal, 17(6), 1503–1515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0452-0 Aizebeokhai, A. P. (2010). 2D and 3D geoelectrical resistivity imaging: Theory and field design. Scientific Research and Essays, 5(23), 3592–3605. Binley, A., & Kemna, A. (2005). Electrical methods for imaging subsurface flow and transport. In Y. Rubin & S. S. Hubbard (Eds.), Hydrogeophysics (pp. 129–156). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3102-5_5 Domenico, P. A., & Schwartz, F. W. (1998). Physical and chemical hydrogeology (2nd ed.). Wiley. Ehirim, C. N., & Nwankwo, C. N. (2010). Evaluation of aquifer characteristics and groundwater quality using geoelectric method in Choba, Port Harcourt. Archives of Applied Science Research, 2(2), 396–403. Fetter, C. W. (2001). Applied hydrogeology (4th ed.). Prentice Hall. Freeze, R. A., & Cherry, J. A. (1979). Groundwater. Prentice Hall. Loke, M. H. (2010). Tutorial: 2-D and 3-D electrical imaging surveys. Geotomo Software. Loke, M. H., & Barker, R. D. (1996). Rapid least-squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosections. Geophysical Prospecting, 44(1), 131–152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365- 2478.1996.tb00142.x Osinowo, O. O., & Adeniyi, A. A. (2012). Geoelectric investigation of groundwater contamination in a landfill site in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 8(2), 1013–1020. Reynolds, J. M. (2011). An introduction to applied and environmental geophysics (2nd ed.). Wiley- Blackwell. Soupios, P. M., Ntarlagiannis, D., Papadopoulos, N., Yi, M. J., Kim, J. H., Tsourlos, P. I., & Tsokas, G. N. (2007). Application of integrated methods in mapping weak contamination in an industrial area. Environmental Geology, 53(3), 661– 675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0678-0 United Nations Environment Programme. (2011). Environmental assessment of Ogoniland. UNEP.

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in Assessing Groundwater Pollution and Sustainable Water Resource Development in Oil Spill Contaminated Sites: Evidence from Domuubonatom, B-Dere, Gokana, Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from WORLD JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY