Some problems of groundwater development in the Niger Delta ranging from negligence to geological peculiarities are examined to highlight the importance and application of geologic knowledge and research for decision making and averting failure in groundwater development for provisional use. Although the geology and hydrogeologic properties of the aquifer system in the Niger Delta immensely favors groundwater development, there are several recorded cases of failed groundwater development projects poor water quality, dry boreholes and boreholes with surprisingly low yield which could have been avoided. This is due to the perception that since groundwater is prolific, geologic and locational peculiarities can be ignored. This research has highlighted the importance of the knowledge of the hydrogeology of the different geologic units as significant factor in the success of groundwater projects through the correlation of past research of geologic units and groundwater potentials, quality and challenges with the present projects implemented in some of the locations. Cases where groundwater projects are executed with wrong exploration options and without consideration of the peculiarity of the geologic units of the project area, including engagement of incompetent contractors, and negligence to the existing regulatory framework for groundwater development in Nigeria are presented. In order to promote sustainable groundwater development and management in the Niger Delta, this research highlights and recommends the pragmatic use of geologic information including various technical, institutional, regulatory and management measures which have the capacity to avert challenges in groundwater development for provisional use.
References
[1]
UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (2022) GROUNDWATER: Making the Invisible Visible. UNESCOWWAP, Paris.
[2]
Bear, J. (1979) Hydraulic of Groundwater. 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, New York.
[3]
Molerio-León, L. (2013) Groundwater Development and Survey Methods. UNESCO’s Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems.
[4]
Nwankwoala, H.O. (2011) An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Groundwater Development and Management in Nigeria. Journal of Geology and Mining Research, 3, 123-130.
[5]
New, M. and Hulme, M. (1997) Construction of 3 Minute Latitude/Longitude Monthly Climate Surfaces over Africa for Period 1951-1995. Climate Research Unit, Norwich, East Anglia.
[6]
National Atlas (1987) Atlas of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Lagos. Government Press, Lagos.
[7]
Edet, A. (2017) Hydrogeology and Groundwater Evaluation of a Shallow Coastal Aquifer, Southern Akwa Ibom State. Applied Water Science, 7, 2397-2412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-016-0432-1
[8]
Abam, T. K. S. and Nwankwoala, H. O. (2020) Hydrogeology of Eastern Niger Delta: A Review. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 12, 741-777. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2020.129045
[9]
Ngah, S.A. and Eze, C.L. (2017) Typical Hydraulic Properties of Deep Aquifers of Niger Delta from Pumping Test Data. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 5, 139-148. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2017.511010
[10]
Etu-Efeotor, J.O. (1981) Preliminary Hydrogeochemical Investigations of Sub-Surface Waters in Parts of the Niger Delta Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology, 18, 103-105.
[11]
Etu-Efeotor, J.O. and Odigi, M.I. (1983) Water Supply Problems in the Eastern Niger Delta. Journal of Mining and Geology, 20, 183-193.
[12]
Udom, G., Etu-Efeotor, J. and Esu, E. (1999) Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Parts of Port Harcourt and Tai-Eleme Local Government Areas. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 5, 545-552.
[13]
Edet, A.E. (1993) Groundwater Quality Assessment in Parts of Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environmental Geology, 22, 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00775283
[14]
Olatunji, A.S., Tijani, M.N., Abimbola, A.F. and Oteri, A.U. (2001) Hydrogeochemical Assessment of the Surface and Groundwater Resources of Oke-Agbe Akoko, South-Western Nigeria. Water Resources, 12, 81-87.
[15]
Ngah, S.A. (2002) Patterns of Groundwater Chemistry in Parts of the Niger Delta. Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, 39.
[16]
Abimbola, A.P., Odukoya, A.M. and Olatunji, A.S. (2002) Influence of Bedrock on the Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Northern Part of Ibadan Metropolis, SW Nigeria. Journal of the Nigerian Association of Hydrogeologists, 13, 1-6.
[17]
Nwankwoala, H.O. and Ngah, S.A. (2015) Assessing Chloride Distribution and Concentrations in the Aquifer Systems of the Niger Delta. Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics, 3, 128-132.
[18]
Abam, T.K.S. (1999) Dynamics and Quality of Water Resources in the Niger Delta. Iahs Press-Intern Assoc Hydrological Science, 429-435.
[19]
Amadi, P.A., Ofoegbu, C.O. and Morrison, T. (1989) Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Parts of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environmental Geology and Water Sciences, 14, 195-202. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01705131
[20]
Omontese, S.O., Adiela, U.P. and Sangoremi, A. (2015) Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Parts of Air-Port Road Omagwa in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. International Journal of Science Inventions Today, 4, 643-653.
[21]
Udom, G.J., Ushie, F.A., ESU, E., et al., (2002) A Geochemical Survey of Groundwater in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 6, 53-59. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v6i1.17196
[22]
Nwankwoala, H.O., Amadi, A.N., Oborie, E. and Ushie, F. A. (2014) Hydrochemical Factors and Correlation Analysis in Groundwater Quality in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2, 100-105. https://doi.org/10.12691/aees-2-4-3
[23]
Amajor, L.C. (1991) Aquifers in the Benin Formation (Miocene Recent), Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria: Lithostratigraphy, Hydraulics, and Water Quality. Environmental Geology and Water Sciences, 17, 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01701565
[24]
Amadi, A.N., Olasehinde, P.I., Yisa, J., Okosun, E.A., Nwankwoala, H.O. and Alkali, Y.B. (2012) Geostatistical Assessment of Groundwater Quality from Coastal Aquifers of Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria. Geosciences, 2, 51-59. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.geo.20120203.03
[25]
Udeh, I.I., Ubong, I.U., Ngah, S.A. and Abam, T.K.S. (2021) Evaluation of Soil and Ground Water Quality around an Oil Loading Facility at Eleme, River State. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 6, 618-627.
[26]
Reijers, T.J.A. (1996) Selected Chapters on Geology, Sedimentary Geology, Sequence Stratigraphy in Nigeria. In: Three Case Studies and a Field Guide. Corporate Reprographic Services, Warri.
[27]
Rayment, R.A. (1965) Aspects of the Geology of Nigeria. Ibadan University of Press. Ibadan.
[28]
Short, K.C. and Stauble, A.J. (1967) Outline of Geology of Niger Delta. AAPG Bulletin, 51, 761-779. https://doi.org/10.1306/5D25C0CF-16C1-11D7-8645000102C1865D
[29]
Hospers, J. (1965) Gravity and Structure of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, West Africa. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 76, 407-422. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1965)76[407:GFASOT]2.0.CO;2
[30]
Ozumba, B.M. (2013) Nigeria Sedimentary Basins. In: Ozumba, B.M., Ed., Geology of the Niger Delta—An Overview for Geophysics Processors.
[31]
Etu-Efeotor, J. and Akpokodje, E. (1990) Aquifer Systems of the Niger Delta. Journal of Mining and Geology, 26, 279-285.
[32]
Offodile, M.E. (1991) An Approach to Groundwater Study and Development in Nigeria. Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd., Jos.
[33]
Akpokodje, E.G., Etu-Efeotor, J.O. and Mbeledogu, I.U. (1996) A Study of Envi-ronmental Effects of Deep Subsurface Injection of Drilling Waste on Water Resources of the Niger Delta. CORDEC.
[34]
Nwankwoala, H.O. and Ngah, S.A. (2014) Groundwater Resource of the Niger Delta: Quality Implications and Management Considerations. International Journal of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, May, 6, 155-163. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJWREE2014.0500
[35]
Offodile, M. (2002) Groundwater Study and Development in Nigeria. 2nd Edition, Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd., Jos.
[36]
Oteze, G.E. (1981) Water Resources of Nigeria. Environmental Geology, 3, 177-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473501
[37]
Amajor, L.C. (1989) Geological Appraisal of Groundwater Exploitations in the Eastern Niger Delta. In: Ofoegbu, C.O., Ed., Groundwater and Mineral Resources of Nigeria. Friedr vieweg and Sohn, Braunschweig/Weisbaden, 85-100.
[38]
Nwankwoala, H.O. and Udom, G.J. (2011) A Preliminary Review of Potential Groundwater Resources of the Niger Delta. International Journal of Applied Environmental Sciences, 6, 57.
[39]
Reijers, T. (2011) Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Niger Delta. Geologos, 17, 133-162. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10118-011-0008-3
[40]
Ohwoghere-Asuma, O., Chinyim, I. and Essi, O. (2017) Saltwater Intrusion Appraisal of Shallow Aquifer in Burutu Area of the Western Niger Delta with 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 21, 372-377. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i2.19
[41]
SHELL-BP (1962) Degema. Geological Series. Nigeria. Sheet 83, Director of Geological Survey, Nigeria.
[42]
Ministry of Environment, British Columbia (2022) Government of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/
[43]
SHELL-BP (1957) Umuahia. Geological Series. Nigeria. Sheet 79, Director of Geological Survey, Nigeria.
[44]
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (2010) Code of Practice for Water Well Construction. Nigeria Industrial Standard NCP027.