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Characterization of groundwater in the hydrogeological network of Lom River basin in eastern Cameroon using a DC electrical method

Caractérisation des eaux souterraines dans le système hydrogéologique du bassin de la rivière Lom dans l’est du Cameroun en utilisant la méthode électrique DC

Caracterización de las aguas subterráneas en la red hidrogeológica de la Cuenca del río Lom en el este de Camerún utilizando un método eléctrico de corriente continua

使用直流电法表征喀麦隆东部 Lom 河流域水文地质网络地下水的特征

Caracterização das águas subterrâneas na rede hidrogeológica da bacia do Rio Lom em Camarões oriental usando um método elétrico de CC

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Abstract

Lom River basin, associated with outflow from the Lom River system, is located in the East Region of Cameroon. The geology of the basin comprises Precambrian crystalline and crystallophyllian rocks, which are characterized by their compact nature and their low capacity to hold water. Permeable horizons observed in these rocks have developed through fracturing and weathering processes. Direct current (DC) geoelectrical surveys have been carried out in the Lom River basin, especially in the Betare Oya subdivision (administrative unit). The main objective of these surveys was to determine the major features of the permeable layers or aquifers of the hydrogeological network of the Lom River basin. Results from the collected data, interpreted with appropriate software and correlated with geological and hydrogeological field data, identified the conductive zones, characterized by vertical and lateral resistivity contrasts. The conductive zones represent the fractured and weathered horizons or permeable horizons, and these are protected from above by a variable overburden. This has enabled delineation of the shallow aquifer of weathered and decayed rocks and the deeper aquifer of the fissured basement. The groundwater flow direction in the deeper aquifer is NE–SW, i.e. parallel to the flow direction of Lom River. The study reveals the effectiveness of the DC electrical method in characterization of the flows of hydrogeological networks of river basins.

Résumé

Le bassin de la rivière Lom, associé à l’exutoire du système de la rivière Lom, est situé dans la région Est du Cameroun. La géologie du bassin comprend des roches cristallines et cristallophylliennes d’âge précambrien, qui sont caractérisées par leur nature compacte et leur faible capacité à stocker l’eau. Les horizons perméables observés dans ces roches se sont développés par les processus de fracturation et d’altération. Des mesures géophysiques DC ont été réalisées dans le bassin de la rivière Lom, en particulier dans la subdivision Betare Oya. L’objectif principal de ces mesures est de déterminer les caractéristiques principales des couches perméables ou des aquifères du système hydrogéologique du bassin de la rivière Lom. Les résultats issus des données collectées, interprétés avec un logiciel approprié et corrélés avec les données de terrain géologique et hydrogéologique, permettent d’identifier les zones conductrices, caractérisées par des contrastes verticaux et latéraux de résistivité. Les zones conductrices représentent les horizons fracturés et altérés ou les horizons perméables, et ceux-ci sont protégés de la surface par une couverture d’épaisseur et nature variable. Cela a permis de délimiter l’aquifère superficiel dans les roches altérées et dégradées et l’aquifère plus profond dans le socle fissuré. La direction des écoulements souterrains dans l’aquifère plus profond est NE–SO, soit parallèle à la direction d’écoulement de la rivière Lom. L’étude montre l’efficacité de la méthode électrique DC pour la caractérisation des écoulements dans les systèmes hydrogéologiques des bassins fluviaux.

Resumen

La cuenca del río Lom, asociada a la descarga del sistema del río Lom, está situada en la región oriental de Camerún. La geología de la cuenca comprende rocas cristalinas y cristalofílicas del Precámbrico, que se caracterizan por su carácter compacto y su escasa capacidad de retención de agua. Los horizontes permeables observados en estas rocas se han desarrollado a través de procesos de fracturación y meteorización. En la cuenca del río Lom, especialmente en la subdivisión de Betare Oya, se han realizado estudios geoeléctricos de corriente continua. El objetivo principal de estos estudios era determinar las principales características de las capas permeables o acuíferos de la estructura hidrogeológica de la cuenca del río Lom. Los resultados de los datos recogidos, interpretados con el software adecuado y correlacionados con los datos geológicos e hidrogeológicos de campo, identificaron las zonas conductoras, caracterizadas por contrastes de resistividad verticales y laterales. Las zonas conductoras representan los horizontes fracturados y meteorizados o los horizontes permeables, y éstos están protegidos desde arriba por una sobrecarga variable. Esto ha permitido delinear el acuífero somero de rocas meteorizadas y descompuestas y el acuífero más profundo del subsuelo fisurado. La dirección del flujo de las aguas subterráneas en el acuífero más profundo es NE–SW, es decir, paralela a la dirección del flujo del río Lom. El estudio revela la eficacia del método eléctrico de corriente continua en la caracterización de los flujos de las estructuras hidrogeológicas de las cuencas fluviales.

摘要

与Lom河系统的出流相关的Lom河流域位于喀麦隆东部地区。该盆地的地质包括前寒武纪结晶岩和晶叶岩, 其特点是致密性和低持水能力。在这些岩石中观察到的可渗透层是通过压裂和风化过程形成的。在 Lom 河流域, 尤其在 Betare Oya 分区, 进行了直流地质电法勘测。这些调查的主要目的是确定 Lom 河流域水文地质网络的可渗透层或含水层的主要特征。基于收集数据的分析, 用适当的软件解释并结合地质和水文地质数据, 确定了导电区, 其特征在于垂直和横向电阻率不同。导电层代表破裂和风化的层位或可渗透层位, 这些层位受到可变覆盖层的保护。这使得能够区分风化岩的浅层含水层和裂隙基底的深层含水层。深层含水层的地下水流向为 NE-SW, 即平行于 Lom 河的流向。该研究揭示了直流电法在表征流域水文地质网络流动方面的有效性。

Resumo

A bacia do Rio Lom, associada à vazão do sistema do Rio Lom, está localizada na Região Oriental de Camarões. A geologia da bacia compreende rochas cristalinas e cristalofílicas pré-cambrianas, que se caracterizam por sua natureza compacta e sua baixa capacidade de retenção de água. Horizontes permeáveis observados nessas rochas se desenvolveram através de processos de fraturamento e intemperismo. Levantamentos geoelétricos de CC foram realizados na bacia do Rio Lom, especialmente na subdivisão Betare Oya. O principal objetivo desses levantamentos foi determinar as principais características das camadas permeáveis ou aquíferos da rede hidrogeológica da bacia do Rio Lom. Os resultados dos dados coletados, interpretados com software apropriado e correlacionados com dados geológicos e hidrogeológicos de campo, identificaram as zonas condutoras, caracterizadas por contrastes de resistividade vertical e lateral. As zonas condutoras representam os horizontes fraturados e intemperizados ou horizontes permeáveis, e estes são protegidos de cima por uma cobertura variável. Isso permitiu delinear o aquífero raso de rochas intemperizadas e deterioradas e o aquífero mais profundo do embasamento fissurado. A direção do fluxo da água subterrânea no aquífero mais profundo é NE–SO, ou seja, paralela à direção do fluxo do Rio Lom. O estudo revela a eficácia do método elétrico de CC na caracterização das vazões de redes hidrogeológicas de bacias hidrográficas.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Artisanal and Small-Scale Unit at the Ministry of Mines, Industries and Technological Development for providing the Syscal current instrument (IRIS) for the field survey and data collection.

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Gouet, D.H., Kana, J.D., Oya, V. et al. Characterization of groundwater in the hydrogeological network of Lom River basin in eastern Cameroon using a DC electrical method. Hydrogeol J 30, 1055–1069 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-022-02486-5

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