i An update to this article is included at the end

Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

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Groundwater for Sustainable Development

journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/gsd

Research paper

Estimation of main aquifer parameters using geoelectric measurements to

select the suitable wells locations in Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Iraq
Zaidoon Taha Abdulrazzaq a, Nadhir Al-Ansari b, *, Nadia Ahmed Aziz a,
Okechukwu Ebuka Agbasi c, Sunday Edet Etuk d
a
Directorate of Space and Communications, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, 10070, Iraq
b
Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, 97187, Lulea, Sweden
c
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Department of Physics, Umudike, Nigeria
d
University of Uyo, Department of Physics, Uyo, Nigeria

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The aquifer parameters like hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity are extremely important for the man­
Aquifers agement and development of groundwater resources. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and 2D Electrical Re­
Fadaq plantation sistivity Imaging (ERI) techniques were adopted for geophysical investigation in Fadaq plantation area within
VES
Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Iraq. A total of 22 VES point distributed as a grid along six profiles in the plantation
2D ERI concatenated Profile
Transmissivity
with half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) is 400 m are used to evaluate the aquifer geoelectric and hydraulic
parameters, where six 2D ERI profiles were conducted and concatenated as one 2D ERI profile with a total length
of 4525 m to verify the results of VES. The average formation factor of the aquifer is 22.33 with porosity and
water saturation average of 22.62% and 0.59% respectively. Geoelectric and hydraulic parameters estimated
values are; apparent resistivity 2.17–2.92 Ω, formation factor 6.23–31.18, porosity 17.91–40.06%, water satu­
ration 0.18–0.85, longitudinal conductance 1.60–10.06 Ω-1, transverse resistance 3258–27200 Ωm2, hydraulic
conductivity 0.62–0.68 m2/day and transmissivity 70.68–198.05 m2/day. The thickness and bulk resistivity vary
between 112 and 320 m and 18–85 Ωm respectively. About 26% of the aquifer in the study area has an inter­
mediate designation, while 73.91% of the aquifer has high designation. There is a linear relationship between
transmissivity and water saturation. Based on designation, protective capacity, and groundwater supply potential
VES 6C, VES 7A, VES 4C and VES 2E were recommended for new drilling sites.

1. Introduction water resources (Thabit et al., 2018), groundwater such as the artesian,
self-flowing wells and the springs are the major water sources for do­
Water is an essential element of life; however, there is a gradual mestic, industrial and agricultural uses in this area (Al-Shemmari,
decrease in the global resources of water (Hasan et al., 2018; Agbasi 2012). Groundwater is the world’s second largest reserve of freshwater,
et al., 2019), especially in the arid and semi-arid areas (Abdullah et al., accounting for 12%. The largest resource is water locked as ice (87%),
2019). This universal water crisis is evident in Iraq in the form of the while surface water accounts for about 1% of the world’s freshwater
gradual degradation of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers over the last four reserves only (Gleick, 2011). Accordingly, groundwater emerges as an
decades. This problem coincides with a significant rise in Iraq’s popu­ ideal alternative to surface water to reduce the shortage. It is widely
lation, increasing water demand and lack of scientific planning for water available, has an excellent natural quality and relatively low capital cost
resources management (Alwan et al., 2019). One prominent example in of development.
Iraq is Bahr Al-Najaf depression that suffers from many shortages in Vertical Electrical Sounding is the detection of the surface effects
surface water quantities in spite of the seasonal income of surface waters generated by the flow of electric current inside the earth. It is one of the
by means of the existing ephemeral wadies. This is because of its most suitable methods for groundwater investigation in the most
geographic location (near the Southern Desert), away from surface geological occurrence (Battacharya and Patra, 1968; Yadav and

* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: zaidoon.taha@live.com, nadia_naa@yahoo.com (Z.T. Abdulrazzaq), nadhir.alansari@ltu.se (N. Al-Ansari), ebukasean09@yahoo.com
(O.E. Agbasi), sunetuk2002@yahoo.com (S.E. Etuk).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100437
Received 12 March 2020; Received in revised form 14 May 2020; Accepted 25 June 2020
Available online 30 June 2020
2352-801X/© 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 1. The location of Fadaq plantation (study area) within Bahr Al-Najaf depression.

Fig. 2. The geological map of Bahr Al-Najaf depression (Barwary and Slewa, 1996)

Abolfazli, 1998) due to the simplicity of technique and low cost very far locations in the desert, which may create further difficulties. A
compared to other geophysical methods ( Abdulrazzaq et al., 2019; Aziz correlation between the geoelectric and hydraulic parameters of an
et al., 2019). aquifer can be used to replace the pump test. This also makes a hydro
Aquifer parameters are an essential tool for managing groundwater geophysical model to show the fundamental agents, which may govern
potentials. These parameters are mostly estimated by the pumping tests. the hydraulic behavior of any aquifer (Vereecken et al., 2006). This
Usually, these approaches are time-consuming; besides, most wells lie in approach could be applied to gather information about the hydro

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 3. The distribution of VES and 2D ERI point in Fadaq plantation.

geophysical characterization of the aquifer in a studied area. projects, which is located 45 km to the south-west of Najaf city. Where
Kelly (1977); Kosinski and Kelly (1981); Sinha et al. (2009), on their soil, water and climate are of agreeable effect on products. The total area
studies have shown an equation that correlates the geoelectrical and of the plantation is 8000 km2. The project consists generally of two
hydraulic parameters of aquifers. While Urish (1981); Worthington parts: the first is the animal product, which includes cattle breeding
(1993); Mazac et al. (1985) reported relationships between aquifer re­ (cows, sheep calves) in addition to plant products, which includes green
sistivity and hydraulic conductivity. Aquifer characteristics and elec­ forage like berseem and clover and dry forage like barley; the second
trical parameters of the geoelectrical layers have been studied by many part consists of garden product, which includes vegetables planting in
researchers e.g. (Batte et al., 2008; Chandra et al., 2008; Massoud et al., plastic hothouses during summer and winter. It was planned by the
2010; Abdulrazzaq and Thesis, 2011; Asfahani, 2012; Sikandar and Alawi Shrine administration, in case of success of this plantation project,
Christen, 2012; Olatunji and Musa, 2014; Okiongbo and Mebine, 2015; to extend the idea by setting up many similar groundwater-fed projects.
Agbasi and Etuk, 2016; Khalil, 2016; Choudhury et al., 2017). According As this could exert a high burden on the groundwater aquifer in the
to Niwas and Singhal (1981); Singhal and Niwas (1983); Mbonu et al. region, it was scheduled to utilize the land gradually by dividing the
(1991), the geological setting and groundwater characteristics remain plant into three parts commencing from the Southern part. However,
reasonably constant within the area of interest, so the relationships several exhausted, unproductive wells have resulted from the applica­
between the hydraulic and geoelectric parameters of the aquifer can be tion of random drilling. Accordingly, it is essential to choose new, high-
deduced practically. productivity wells to avoid losses and replication of these mistakes. This
The area studied has special importance, as it is one of the attraction study aims to estimate the main aquifer parameters at Fadaq plantation
sites for religious tourists in Iraq due to the Tomb-shrine of Imam Ali Bin and use it as a guide to developing a plan for drilling new productive
Abi Talib, one of the Muslim caliphs. It is considered as an essential wells for irrigations and permanence of the plantation.
source to enhance the national income and to support the national
economy, as it opens a wide range of work and investment for human 2. Materials and methods
potentialities. One aspect of successful tourism is to provide and satisfy
the needs of tourists and shrine -visitors for food. For the sake of varied 2.1. Site description
and good meals, the Alawi Shrine administration in Najaf Governorate
has released Fadaq Plantation Project, one of the great development Fadaq plantation is located in Bahr Al-Najaf depression, specifically

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 4. VES quantitative interpretation from IPI2win.

in Al-Rehiama area, which is administratively part of Najaf governorate (Al-Suhail, 1996), which are mostly covered by recent deposits where
(Fig. 1), within longitudes 44� –44� 50 E and latitudes 31� 58’ - 32� 30 N; Al-Dammam formation is apparent, which is considered as an important
35 km off the city center towards Bahr Al-Najaf. Generally, it is an open underground water layer in the Arabic Desert areas (Aziz et al., 2018).
flat land with little undulation and covered with soil. The surface has a Geomorphologically, the area consists of two main units: the sedi­
little gradual gradient of around 4� to the East from SW to NE. The mentary plain and the desert plain. Sedimentary plain: geomorpholog­
utmost height of the area is around 60 m above sea level. As for tectonic ical formations for this unit is of riverine and aerial origin formed by
aspect, the study area is located in a sedimentary plain not liable to folds, accumulatively (sedimentary) by the erosion and the human factor.
and considered as part of Al-Salman zone within the stable shelf area, as These materials filling the sedimentary plain, while in aero-origin
per the geologic and tectonic division. Moreover, it is a zone that keeps geomorphological formation might be recognizable in shape of dunes
the stable shelf apart from the unstable shelf (Jassim and Goff, 2006). and sand sheets which represent the geomorphological units; but irri­
The area of Bahr Al-Najaf and the surrounds were not been afflicted gation channels are considered as human activities as they are spread
by tectonic significant events for a long period, except for Sinjar heights out on the flood plain. Although the area has dried desert climate, a
and west desert during the Tertiary epoch. Due to several significant rainfall sometimes happens as sporadic heavy flushes, which lead to
tectonic events, Abu-Jir fault system evolved the main system of deep surface patterns with many ephemerals and some perennial wadies
faults stretching towards NW-SE (Abdel Razak, 1980). The area is (Al-Amiri, 1978). There is a widespread of old springs but most of them
privileged by a high rate of erosion to SW direction of the area where have dried due to the reduction of the aquifer pressure as a result of the
rocky nature of the ground appears on the surface with a little amount of increase in random drilling (Al-Shemmari, 2012).
soil, which was of great effect to form several valleys in the area; while The climate of the region follows the same conditions of the west
erosion factors decrease towards North and East due to the great desert in terms of temperature degrees, humidity and rainfall. It is
thickness of surface soil (Ali, 2012). featured by cold winter of little rain and dry hot summer. The area is
Many geological formations are apparent in the study area (Fig. 2), featured, according to Iraq Atlas (1971–2000), by an average annual
whose ages range from Tertiary rocks to the Quaternary deposits temperature of 38 � C, the average annual relative humidity of 41%,

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 5. The measured and bad data of the six 2D ERI profiles.

the subsurface strata, which follow the normal stratigraphic column of

Table 1
Iraqi Desert that Bahr Al-Najaf is part of it (Lateef and Barwary, 1984). In
Classification of soil resistivity in terms of corrosivity (Baeckmann and
addition, there is a subsurface pattern of flow due to the infiltration of
Schwenk, 1997).
runoff water through near-surface fractures and joints in many areas. In
Soil Resistivity (Ωm) Soil Corrosivity
addition to the underground drainage that comes from the huge regional
<10 Very strongly corrosive aquifer which extends into Saudi Arabia by the effect of deep faults and
10–60 Moderately corrosive fractures, which develop to dissolution channels.
60–180 Slightly corrosive
The hydrogeology setting of the area represents a part of the south­
�180 Practically noncorrosive
ern desert area, which is a wide plateau tectonically (structurally) and
considered within the stable shelf. Hydrogeological classification of the
rocks is done by resting on hydro-geological properties of those rocks,
Table 2
their rocky composition and the volumetric distribution of their con­
Rating of protective capacity of aquifers (Henriet, 1976).
stituents. Al-Dammam formation represents the main aquifer of the area
Longitudinal conductance (mho) Protective capacity rating which consists of soluble calcareous stones. Porosity varies from a place
>10 Excellent to another as a result of caving and cracking in rocks, and most of the
5–10 Very good cavitation and high permeability processes occur near the underground
0.7–4.9 Good
water level within the formation as they are affected by water level
0.2–0.69 Moderate
0.1–0.19 Weak instability and flow movement within the formation. In general,
<0.1 Poor permeability gets decreased with depth, and high permeability occurs in
subsided areas and valleys where water moving and rotating processes
occur in those areas (Al-Rawi et al., 1983). The main source to feed the
aquifer in Al-Dammam formation is rainfall in addition to valley water
Table 3
penetrating into depths during the season of flow. Overall, Al-Dammam
The classification of transmissivity magnitude (after Kr�
asný, 1993).
formation covers impermeable layers in most of the areas located near
Transmissivity (m/ Designation Groundwater Supply Potential the drainage areas, and that water in this formation is of the constrained
day)
type.
1000 Very high Withdrawal of great regional importance Calcareous stones permeability depends on several factors as rocky
100–1000 High Withdrawal of lesser regional importance
and structural composition added to cavitation property that features
10–100 Intermediate Withdrawal of local water supply (Small
community, plant etc) these stones. In general, calcareous stones represented by limestone,
1–10 Low Smaller withdrawal for local water supply dolomite, gypsum and evaporates represented by anhydride, which is of
(Private consumption) high ability to dissolve in water (Barwary and Slewa, 1994).
0.1–1 Very low Withdrawal for local water supply (Private Sub-permeability in these stones depends on several factors; the most
consumption)
<0.1 Impermeable Sources for local water supply are difficult
important are: stones capacity to dissolve, climate conditions, the exis­
tence of acid solutions, the existence of faults and partitions and cracks
and cavities in the mother-stones, the synthetic and structural status of
average annual evaporation of 3.45 mm, average annual rainfall of 100 the area, geomorphology of the area and the movement of surface and
mm (Abdulrazzaq et al., 2019a, 2019b), average annual aridity of 34 underground water. Consequently, these factors affect calcareous
(Alwan et al., 2019) and an average annual wind speed of 3.4 m/s. stones, which contains water, and lead to an increase in their perme­
The topographic slope is usually coincident with the structural dip of ability and water flows in them.

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 6. V–V0 profile shows the fourth zones along the study area.

Fig. 7. 2D ERI concatenated profile shows the high and low fractures areas along the study area.

2.2. Data acquisition and analysis The VES points were measured separately, so the linking of VES
points as a profile is optional and depend on the purpose of linking in a
The study includes applying the VES technique using the symmet­ specific direction. The West-East direction was chosen to link the VES
rical Schlumberger configuration in Fadaq plantation area for the pur­ profiles to indicate the lateral extension of the aquifer in the study area.
pose of drilling new irrigations wells. The apparent resistivity measured Another profile, namely V–V0 was produced from the 3A, 3B, 4C, 3D, 2E,
in 22 VES points, distributed evenly (the distance between the profiles 2F VES points, which extend from South to North of the study area to
was one km) as a grid across the plantation area on six profiles (AA, BB, indicate the extension of the aquifer along the plantation.
CC, DD, EE and FF) using ABEM Terrameter LS1 resistivimeter to obtain To verify the results of VES, six 2D ERI profiles were conducted in
a possible coverage of the plantation (Fig. 3). The spreading of current one sequence using Wenner- Schlumberger array by 61 electrodes ABEM
electrodes (AB/2) reached a distance up to 400 m, and a distance of 100 Terrameter LS1 multi-electrode resistivity system. The length of each
m is reached for the spreading of voltage electrodes (MN/2); thus, a profile was 800 m with 75 m overlapped distance, and the electrode
depth penetration of 320 m is obtained. Field curves of VES points are spacing was 10 m. Wenner-Schlumberger array is moderately sensitive
interpreted quantitatively using IPI2win software (Fig. 4) to find out the to both horizontal and vertical structures, as the array represents
values of quantitative resistivity and thickness of the electrical zones. adequate signal/noise ratio, an important parameter in low-resistivity
The choice of the appropriate number of VES points and the distance environments, it also provides adequate resolution (Ward, 1989; Dah­
between them is very important in terms of the cost and result’s accu­ lin and Zhou, 2004). Few bad data points appeared and were manually
racy. Reducing the distance between points requires an increase in the removed, as shown in Fig. 5.
number of measured VES points, leading to a more expensive survey.
While increasing the distance between VES points will reduce the
2.3. Geo-hydraulic parameters
measured points, reducing results accuracy. Hence, 22 VES points were
selected, with a distance of 1 km separating them, in order to obtain the
Hydraulic parameters (longitudinal conductance, transverse resis­
best results at a relatively low cost.
tance, hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity) are used to estimate

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 8. The relationship between geoelectric and hydraulic parameters of the aquifer in the study area. (a) Transmissivity against Transverse Resistance (b) Porosity
against Bulk Resistivity (c) Hydraulic Conductivity against Longitudinal Conductance (d) Hydraulic Conductivity against Transverse Resistance (e) Hydraulic
Conductivity against Bulk Resistivity (f) Transmissivity against Longitudinal Conductance.

groundwater potential, the soil corrosivity and groundwater protective of water, it is likely that some possible recharge is being excluded in the
capacity. Hydraulic parameters are related to geoelectric parameters recharge area. Aquifers in dry regions usually have a deep vadose zone
(thickness and apparent resistivity) as shown in equations (1)–(4). in the recharge areas, indicating a lack in the amount of potential
recharge (Fetter, 2014).
S ¼ h=ρ (1)
From Archie law (Archie, 1942), the resistivity of water saturated
S is the longitudinal conductance clay-free material can be defined as
R ¼ hρ (2) F¼
ρ0
(5)
ρw
R is the transverse resistance
T ​ ¼ ​ Kh (3) Where ρ0 ¼ specific resistivity of water-saturated sand, ρw ¼ specific
resistivity of pore water, F ¼ formation factor.
T is the transmissivity of the aquifer The formation factor (F) associations all properties of the material
impelling electrical current flow like porosity φ, pore shape, and dige­
K ¼ 8�10 6
​e 0:0013ρ
(4)
netic cementation.
K is the hydraulic conductivity, ρ and h are apparent resistivity and
0:64
thickness respectively. F¼ (6)
∅m
The nature of the aquifer substratum is controlled by hydraulic
conductivity (K) and geoelectrical resistivity (ρ). If the hydraulic unit When the medium is unsaturated, changing the amount of saturation
and current flow are dominantly horizontal in a typical aquifer it in­ changes the nominal porosity. It gives Archie’s equation, given below as
dicates low resistivity substratum, the relationship between K and ρ is � �1
indirect. There is a linear connection between K and ρ, for substratum 0:64�ρ0 n
Sw ¼ ​ (7)
that has low resistivity. If an aquifer is transmitting at an all-out volume
m
∅ �ρw

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Table 4
The geoelectric parameters of the aquifer in the study area.
VES h(m) ρ0 (Ωm) S(Ω 1) R(Ωm2) K(m/day) T(m2/day) ρw (Ωm) F Φ (%) Sw

3A 227.00 67.80 3.35 15390.60 0.63289 143.665 2.398 28.27 18.81 0.68
4A 305.00 65.70 4.64 20038.50 0.63462 193.558 2.401 27.36 19.12 0.66
5A 320.00 85.00 3.76 27200.00 0.61889 198.045 2.857 29.75 18.33 0.85
6A 219.00 81.00 2.70 17739.00 0.62212 136.244 2.775 29.19 18.51 0.81
7A 228.00 42.00 5.43 9576.00 0.65447 149.220 2.767 15.18 25.67 0.42
2B 125.00 77.90 1.60 9737.50 0.62463 78.079 2.498 31.18 17.91 0.78
3B 172.00 66.50 2.59 11438.00 0.63396 109.040 2.356 28.23 18.82 0.67
4B 172.00 46.40 3.71 7980.80 0.65074 111.927 2.876 16.13 24.90 0.46
5B 185.00 79.40 2.33 14689.00 0.62341 115.331 2.556 31.06 17.94 0.79
6B 179.00 54.80 3.27 9809.20 0.64367 115.217 2.862 19.15 22.85 0.55
2C 132.00 53.90 2.45 7114.80 0.64443 85.064 2.901 18.58 23.20 0.54
3C 181.00 51.20 3.54 9267.20 0.64669 117.051 2.917 17.55 23.87 0.51
4C 257.00 42.20 6.09 10845.40 0.65430 168.156 2.671 15.80 25.16 0.42
5C 163.00 78.40 2.08 12779.20 0.62422 101.749 2.901 27.03 19.24 0.78
6C 181.00 18.00 10.06 3258.00 0.67521 122.214 2.889 6.23 40.06 0.18
1D 184.00 46.80 3.93 8611.20 0.65040 119.674 2.789 16.78 24.41 0.47
2D 126.00 59.40 2.12 7484.40 0.63983 80.619 2.457 24.18 20.34 0.59
3D 200.00 73.10 2.74 14620.00 0.62854 125.708 2.763 26.46 19.44 0.73
1E 238.00 72.00 3.31 17136.00 0.62944 149.807 2.812 25.60 19.76 0.72
2E 198.00 34.00 5.82 6732.00 0.66131 130.940 2.739 12.41 28.38 0.34
1F 121.00 58.00 2.09 7018.00 0.64100 77.561 2.167 26.77 19.33 0.58
2F 125.00 51.00 2.45 6375.00 0.64686 80.857 2.652 19.23 22.80 0.51
Min 112.00 18.00 1.60 3258.00 0.62 70.68 2.17 6.23 17.91 0.18
Max 320.00 85.00 10.06 27200.00 0.68 198.05 2.92 31.18 40.06 0.85
Ave 191.28 59.10 3.73 11725.51 0.64 121.97 2.66 22.33 22.62 0.59

Where ρ0 is the bulk resistivity, ρw is apparent, φ is the porosity, Sw is 3. Results and discussion
the water saturation, m and n are constants with respect to the rock type,
and saturation index (equal 2). Worthington (1993); Vinegar and 3.1. Interpretation VES and ERI data
Waxman (1984); Bo €rner et al. (1996); Huntley (1968), concluded that
Archie’s law for water saturation is broken down into three cases: clay The VES points results show the presence of four geoelectrical zones.
contaminated aquifer, partially saturated aquifer and freshwater Resistivity values ranged between 0.8 and 150 Ω m. The penetration
aquifer. depth of the VES is about 425 m, and the depth of the groundwater level
From the hydraulic parameters, we can also determine the soil cor­ ranged between 20 and 70 m. The first zone thickness is about 2 m,
rosivity, protective capacity, groundwater potential and designation. characterized by relatively low resistivity and represents top soil. The
Soil corrosivity is a geologic hazard that affects buried metals and second zone has a moderate value of resistivity with a thickness range
concrete that is in direct contact with soil or bedrock. Soil corrosion is a from 6 m to 42 m, which characterized by an impermeable layer of marl
complex phenomenon, with a multitude of variables involved. Soil and recrystallized marly limestone of the upper member of the Dammam
corrosivity was inferred from the resistivity values of the soil (i.e. the Formation. The third zone is carbonate rocks of the lower member of the
aquifer resistivity values). Table 1 below shows various soil corrosivity Dammam Formation and represents the main aquifer in the area, with
for different soil resistivity values (Oladapo et al., 2004; Ibanga and thickness varied from 50 m to 275 m. The fourth zone is detected by VES
George, 2016). only as an impermeable layer (Aquiclude) which consists of marl and
The protective capacity rating was inferred from the calculated evaporates and represents the Rus Formation (Fig. 7).
longitudinal conductance (S) using protective capacity rating as shown The ERI data were processed and interpreted using RES2DINV soft­
in Table 2 (Kumar et al., 2016), where S is the sum of all the thick­ ware, which provides the possibility of distributing resistivity values to
ness/resistivity ratios of n 1 layers which overlie a semi-infinite sub­ the depths of investigation and the various geological strata. The six
stratum of resistivity ρn, such that S ¼ h1/ρ1 þ h2/ρ2 þ h3/ρ3 þ … þ overlapped profiles were collected to produce one concatenation profile.
hn 1/ρn 1 (mho), where h1, h2, etc. are the depths and ρ1, ρ2, etc. the The trend of this profile was from South to North with a total length of
resistivities, of successive layers. A knowledge of hi/ρi for the ith layer 4525 m, and the maximum depth of investigation is 155 m (Fig. 6). The
when it is sandwiched between two layers of much higher resistivity is of resistivity values vary between 1.34 and 65 Ω m. The root mean square
importance in resolving the problem of equivalence (Henriet, 1976; (RMS) is 6.1% after 3 iterations.
Obiora et al., 2015). Protective capacity rating is used to predict how The VES and ERI profiles (Figs. 7 and 8) identified the high and low
safe a layer is as to if it can allow containments or collapses of the layer. fractures in the study area due to the presence of the faults. Besides; they
Designation infers to the ability for fluid flow between very high flow showed an increase in the areas of high fractures in the center and north
to impermeable (not allowing fluid flow). Groundwater supply potential part of the study area. The results of VES also showed a good agreement
indicates the withdrawal potential of groundwater supply (Krasny, with the 2D ERI in determining the subsurface lithology of the area and
1993; Reddy, 2014). The designation and groundwater supply potential the level of groundwater in the main aquifer as indicated by the
can be inferred from the values of transmissivity based on Krasny’s geological data available.
(1993) classification of transmissivity magnitude (Table 3). Trans­
missivity is equal to the product of the aquifer thickness (m) and hy­ 3.2. Hydraulic and geoelectric parameters
draulic conductivity (K). Transmissivity describes the ability for fluid
flow within the plane of the material and is defined as the in-plane Hydraulic and geoelectric parameters which include the following;
permeability multiplied by the material thickness (Hudak, 2000; Porosity (φ), Formation Factor (F), Transmissivity (T), Water Saturation
Kirsch et al., 2006). (Sw), Transverse Resistance (R) Hydraulic Conductivity (K) and Longi­
tudinal Conductance (S), are calculated for the aquifers identified in the
study area using the Aquifer Thickness (h), Bulk Resistivity (ρ) and

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Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Table 5 each other to determine aquifer parameters. Equations (8)–(13) shows

The inferred aquifer properties. some relationship between hydraulic and geoelectric parameters in the
VES Soil Designation Protective Groundwater Supply study area. Porosity, Hydraulic Conductivity and Transmissivity can be
Corrosivity Capacity Potential estimated from the equations above for VES stations within the study
3A Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser area.
Corrosive regional importance
T ¼ 0:047R þ 67:341 (8)
4A Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser
Corrosive regional importance
5A Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser ∅ ¼ 0:0057ρ20 0:891ρ0 (9)
Corrosive regional importance
6A Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser K ¼ 0:0056S þ 0:6197 (10)
Corrosive regional importance
7A Moderately High Very good Withdrawal of lesser
Corrosive regional importance K ¼ 1*10 10
R2 5*10 6 R þ 0:6794 (11)
2B Slightly Intermediate Good Withdrawal of local
Corrosive water supply K ¼ 5*10 7 ρ20 0:0009ρ0 þ 0:6912 (12)
3B Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser
Corrosive regional importance T ¼ 8:854S þ 89:346 (13)
4B Moderately High Good Withdrawal of lesser
Corrosive regional importance Fig. 9 shows the contour maps of the geoelectric and hydraulic pa­
5B Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser
rameters estimated for the aquifer, along with the profiles AA, BB, CC,
Corrosive regional importance
6B Moderately High Good Withdrawal of lesser DD, EE and FF. The aquifer resistivity increases along profile AA, BB and
Corrosive regional importance DD with a decrease along profile CC, EE and FF. Along with profiles AA,
2C Moderately Intermediate Good Withdrawal of local BB, CC, EE and FF the thickness of the aquifer increases and decreases
Corrosive water supply along profile DD. The formation factor of the aquifer increases along
3C Moderately High Good Withdrawal of lesser
profiles AA, BB and DD and decreases along CC, EE and FF. Along with
Corrosive regional importance
4C Moderately High Very good Withdrawal of lesser profiles CC, EE and FF the estimated hydraulic conductivity increases
Corrosive regional importance and decreases along profiles AA, BB, DD. For Longitudinal conductivity
5C Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser and Transmissivity; AA, BB, EE and FF increases along the profile with a
Corrosive regional importance
decrease along profiles CC and DD. Transverse resistance and water
6C Moderately High Excellent Withdrawal of lesser
Corrosive regional importance
saturation increases along profiles AA, BB and DD and decreases along
1D Moderately High Good Withdrawal of lesser profile CC, EE and FF. The estimated porosity increases along profile CC
Corrosive regional importance and FF, it decreases along profiles AA, BB, DD and EE.
2D Moderately Intermediate Good Withdrawal of local
Corrosive water supply
4. Conclusions
3D Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser
Corrosive regional importance
1E Slightly High Good Withdrawal of lesser The incorporation of VES and ERI data led to the identification of the
Corrosive regional importance main aquifer and the high and low fractures zones along the study area.
2E Moderately High Very good Withdrawal of lesser
VES survey delineated aquifer’s geoelectric and hydraulic parameters,
Corrosive regional importance
1F Moderately Intermediate Good Withdrawal of local
including a correlation between some of the geoelectric and hydraulic
Corrosive water supply parameters of the aquifer. The result shows a strong to a very strong
2F Moderately Intermediate Good Withdrawal of local correlation between the parameters. Aquifers in the study area are
Corrosive water supply moderately corrosive, of high designation and have a good protective
capacity. The formation factor of the aquifers in the study area range is
Apparent Resistivity (ρw), using equations (1)–(7), this is shown in 6.28–31.18, with an average of 22.33. The aquifers are found to be very
Table 4. Table 5 shows the inferred aquifer properties (Soil Corrosivity, porous, porosity range is 17.91–40.06, with an average of 22.62, while
Protective Capacity, Groundwater Supply Potential, and Designation) the water saturation in the aquifers range is 0.18–0.85 with an average
assumed from the hydraulic and geoelectric parameters. of 0.59. More than 50% of the aquifers have water saturation above the
Geoelectric parameters estimated values are; apparent resistivity average. Majority of the aquifers are protected from contaminants due to
2.17–2.92 Ω, Formation factor 6.23–31.18, Porosity 17.91–40.06%, their good, very good and excellent protective capacity rating. The
Water Saturation 0.18–0.85, while for hydraulic parameters estimated aquifer in Fadaq plantation has a high and intermediate designation,
values are; longitudinal conductance 1.60–10.06Ω 1, Transverse resis­ which would serve a large community and are rechargeable.
tance 3258–27200 Ωm2, hydraulic conductivity 0.62–0.68 m/day2 and Hydraulic parameters (Transmissivity, Hydraulic conductivity and
Transmissivity 70.68–198.05 m2/day. The thickness and bulk resistivity Transverse resistance) help to reduce the additional expenditures of the
of the aquifer varies between 112.00 and 320.00 m and 18.00–85.00Ωm pumping test and offer an alternative approach for estimating other
respectively. 26.08% of the aquifers in Fadaq plantation have an inter­ hydraulic parameters, as it would give the estimation of the yield of a
mediate designation, while 73.91% of the aquifer has high designation. prospective well in the area before the drilling. It is concluded that the
VES station 6C has excellent protective capacity, while VES station 7A, groundwater supply potential is between the withdrawal of lesser
4C and 2E have a very good protective capacity, and generally, the regional importance and withdrawal of local water supply.
aquifer in the plantation considered to have a good protective capacity.
47.83% of the aquifers are slightly corrosive, with 52.17% of the aquifer Appendix A. Supplementary data
are moderately corrosive. The calculated value of the average porosity in
the aquifer by applying Archie’s equation is 22.62%. It is close to the Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.
porosity values of fractured dolomite and limestone 25% and 30%. org/10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100437.
Fig. 8 shows the relationship between the hydraulic parameters and
the geoelectric parameters, the correlation between the two parameters
shows a strong relationship between them, meaning that they depend on

9
Z.T. Abdulrazzaq et al. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 11 (2020) 100437

Fig. 9. Contour maps of the geoelectric and hydraulic parameters estimated for the aquifer; a: Aquifer Resistivity; b: Aquifer Thickness; c: Formation Factor; d:
Aquifer Hydraulic Conductivity; e: Aquifer Longitudinal Conductance; f: Aquifer Transmissivity; g: Aquifer Transverse Resistance; h: Aquifer Porosity; i: Aquifer
Water Saturation.

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issues of <<Groundwater for Sustainable Development>> Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to
The appropriate Declaration/Competing Interest statements, pro­ declare.
vided by the Authors, are included below. 5. “Adsorptive extraction of uranium(VI) from aqueous phase by
dolomite” [Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2020; 11C:
1. “Hydrogeological framework of the volcanic aquifers and ground­ 100424] 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100424
water quality in Dangila Town and the surrounding area, Northwest Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to
Ethiopia” [Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2019; 11C: declare.
100408] 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100408 6. “Remote sensing, geological, and geophysical investigation in the
Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to area of Ndlambe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa:
declare. Implications for groundwater potential” [Groundwater for Sustain­
2. “Would open disposal of concentrate from low pressure membrane able Development, 2020; 11C: 100431] 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100431
based plants treating fresh or slightly saline groundwater make Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to
negative environmental impacts?” [Groundwater for Sustainable declare.
Development, 2019; 11C: 100414] 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100414 7. “Morphometric analysis of the Jilledubanderu River Basin, Ananta­
Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to pur District, Andhra Pradesh, India, using geospatial technologies”
declare. [Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2020; 11C: 100434]
3. “Chemically treated Lawsonia inermis seeds powder (CTLISP): An 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100434
eco-friendly adsorbent for the removal of brilliant green dye from Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to
aqueous solution” [Groundwater for Sustainable Development, declare.
2020; 11C: 100417] 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100417 8. “Estimation of main aquifer parameters using geoelectric measure­
Declaration of competing interest: The Authors have no interests to ments to select the suitable wells locations in Bahr Al-Najaf depres­
declare. sion, Iraq” [Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2020; 11C:
4. “Assessment of groundwater quality using water quality index 100437] 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100437
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