Geoelectric Investigation of the Dape phase III Housing Estate FCT Abuja, North Central Nigeria

A geoelectrical investigation involving fifty Schlumbeger vertical electrical soundings were carried out along traverses established in the west-east azimuth at the Dape phase III Housing Estate, FCT Abuja to evaluate the aquifer protective and corosivity of the near surface materials. Corrosivity, isopach and total longitudinal unit conductance (S) maps were generated from the combination of first and second order geoelectric parameters. The eastern, southeastern parts and parts of southwestern end of the estate are characterized by slightly corrosive to moderately corrosive materials (50ohm-m< p< 150ohm-m) and moderate overburden thickness (>20 m). Using the total longitudinal unit conductance S, the estate is classified into zones of weak (0.1-0.19) and poor (< 0.1) protective capacity. The results reasonably provide a basis for which groundwater potential zones are appraised for safety in case industrial facilities are planned for the area under study. The study also presents new environmental factors that may perhaps be considered at planning stages of residential and industrial estates.