Groundwater occurrence and flow pattern in the Enugu coal-mine area,Anambra State,Nigeria |
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| Authors: | G I NWANKWOR B C EGBOKA I P ORAJAKA |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology , PMB 1526 , Owerri , Nigeria;2. Department of Geological Sciences , Anambra State University of Technology , Enugu , Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The distribution of major geological units, static water level data, water chemistry data, and observations of surface features influenced by groundwater seepage were used to ascertain the nature of groundwater occurrence and flow pattern in the Enugu coal field, Nigeria. Considerations of the geological units, the static groundwater levels and groundwater seepages in the mines indicate that the coal sequence is a multiaquifer system in which sandstone and coal aquifers alternate with shale aquitards. Based on the hydraulic head data, the groundwater flow is predominantly downwards. Groundwater velocity calculation across the multiaquifer system using the Darcy equation gave a flow velocity of about 1 m day?1. For groundwater systems, such a calculated velocity is considered high. The high velocity is most probably due to the high fracture porosity as well as the presence of other stratigraphic and structural features such as alluvial fills that provide high hydraulic conductivity pathways across the aquifer system. The pattern of groundwater inflow into the mines is also influenced by these stratigraphie and structural features. |
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