A preliminary organic geochemical investigation was conducted on eight samples of shale from the Ahoko Formation to assess the hydrocarbon prospects of the southern Bida Basin. In this study, analytical methods such as the determination of total volume of organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) were used. A range of TOC values between 0.75% and 1.76% (7,500–17,600 ppm) was obtained, indicating fair to good organic matter (OM) content. Nevertheless, the values of Rock-Eval S1 as well as S2, which are free hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons produced by kerogen cracking, respectively, were quite low. All the parameter values above reflect a limited potential for hydrocarbon generation. Generation Potential (GP) readings ranged from 0.15 to 1.07 mg HC/g rock, classifying the samples as source rocks of poor potential. The hydrogen index (HI) suggests dominance of reworked type IV organic matter despite some type III terrestrial input. Biomarker ratios (e.g., Pr/n-C17, Ph/n-C18) indicate weathering and biodegradation effects, while cross-plots of Pr/n-C17 vs Ph/n-C18 and Pr/Ph vs CPI, as well as Pr/Ph trends, point to a predominantly terrestrial organic matter source. Overall, the results suggest the Ahoko Formation within the area studied is immature and currently exhibits limited hydrocarbon prospectivity.

This work assessed the suitability of subsurface materials used for foundation development within a coastal environment prone to building subsidence and foundation distress. Seismic refraction tomography was employed to generate P- and S-velocities, which were then employed to generate elastic moduli that evaluated the competence of the subsurface strata for foundation development. The results indicated the presence of two subsurface strata with varying capacities for foundation development. The uppermost stratum had reduced values of seismic velocities and elastic moduli, indicating that the near-surface material was weak and had reduced load-bearing capacity. The second stratum, on the other hand, had higher measures of seismic velocities and elastic moduli, indicating its competence for supporting heavy engineering loads. The allowable bearing capacity increased from 77.51 -129.74 kN/m² in the uppermost stratum to 294.48 – 424.84 kN/m² in the second stratum, indicating the suitability of the lower stratum for supporting high-rise
foundations. Values of geotechnical moduli such as bulk modulus, constrained modulus, compressibility, and compliance corroborated these results, delineating the second stratum as having significantly higher stiffness and reduced compressibility compared to Layer 1. The results indicate a strong correlation between measures of seismic-derived elastic moduli and bearing capacities in coastal deltaic sediments. The integrated seismic-geotechnical approach was found useful for evaluating competent foundation layers and offers a cost￾effective strategy for reducing the risks of foundation distress in sedimentary environments.

A geoelectric investigation was conducted using the vertical electrical sounding (VES) method across 21 locations in the Nsukka region of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study aimed to characterize the hydraulic properties of the subsurface aquifer units. The results delineated a stratigraphic sequence of five to six geoelectric layers within the surveyed depth. Key aquifer parameters were derived, with resistivity ranging from 156.8 to 32,698.2 Ωm and thickness varying between 15.3 and 159.7 m. These primary parameters were used to compute essential geohydraulic properties. The calculated values include: porosity (26.45–31.21%), hydraulic conductivity (0.0237–3.478 m/day), transmissivity (1.6056–153.6256 m²/day), and formation factor (0.0029–0.037). Additionally, the Dar Zarrouk parameters – longitudinal conductance (0.0023–0.2783 Ω⁻¹) and transverse resistance (2712.64–3,841,839.0 Ωm²) were determined. Spatial contour maps of these properties revealed their variation across the study area, enabling the identification of zones with the most prolific aquifer potential. This study successfully characterizes the geo-hydraulic framework of the local aquifer system. The findings provide a critical foundation for sustainable groundwater management and development in the region, with applicability to other areas of similar geology.

Sedimentological and Geochemical evaluation of the sand within the Benin formation, Niger Delta basin was done. In all, thirty-four (34) outcrop samples were collected, which were subjected to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) fusion analysis, petrographic analysis and grain size analysis. According to the grain analysis, the sand is mesokurtic to leptokurtic (average 1.56), medium grained (average 1.4), poorly sorted (average 1.25), and fine skewed (average 0. 30). This study demonstrates that the Benin Formation’s coastal plain sand is rich in SiO2, suggesting that the samples contain a large quantity of quartz. The SiO2/Al2O3 average ratio of 6.25 further suggests that the sand is mineralogically immature. According to petrographic studies, the coastal plain sand is compositionally mature. The samples were mostly mature, as shown by the mineralogical maturity index (average 18.60). The Zircon-Rutile-Tourmaline (ZTR) index of 67.96 indicates that the sand is chemically immature. The sand has undergone moderate to intense chemical weathering at an intermediate stage under cool/arid paleoclimatic conditions, as indicated by the chemical index of alteration (CIA) of 68.61, plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) of 78.36, and mineralogical index of alteration (MIA) of 43.13. The chemical index of weathering (CIW) of 80.63, on the other hand, indicates that the sand has undergone a significant amount of weathering. Likewise, the weathering indices ratio (Al2O3/TiO2) both support the conclusion that the coastal sand has a felsic origin
of provenance.

Soil erosion has emerged as a global environmental challenge, intensified by growing population pressures and increasingly intensive land use. Even minor soil loss can trigger significant ecological and socio-economic consequences. Erosion occurs through both natural processes and human-induced activities, making its assessment essential for sustainable land management. Among the widely applied models, W. H. Wischmeier’s Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Reynard’s Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) provides a robust framework for estimating soil erosion. Both the models incorporate key factors such as rainfall intensity, soil erodibility, vegetation cover, slope length and slope steepness, and land conservation practices. Slope length and Slope steepness (LS factor) plays a critical role in identifying zones most vulnerable to erosion. Reliable estimation of Slope Length and Slope Steepness can be achieved using slope map from Digital Elevation Model with the help of Arc GIS platform which mainly identify the zone of soil loss when other factors remain constant. In the Pathro River basin, the main objective how slope length and steepness factor affect the soil erosion and its intensity offering valuable insights for prioritizing conservation measures and mitigating land degradation.

In some metropolitan districts of Benin City, Nigeria, dumpsites were studied to determine the concentration of some major and trace elements as well as the health implications to the residents and agricultural activities. Various compounds found in dumpsites have the potential to harm both people and the environment when they seep into the ground. The impact on individuals and anthropogenic activities was evaluated using 45 soil samples (15 from each dumpsite) that were taken from a bored borehole at different depths. Iron, calcium, potassium, titanium, and manganese were the major elements examined of which iron had the highest concentration (reaching 26149 mg/l) of the group. In soil, iron toxicity may prevent the uptake of vital trace elements, but in people, it can cause cell death and gastrointestinal system degradation. Some of the trace elements analysed included ; zirconium, yttrium, zinc, vanadium, nickel, strontium, etc., with zirconium, zinc and nickel having highest average concentration values (497ppm, 65.67ppm and 43.3ppm respectively). These metals at toxic concentrations result in respiratory illnesses, diarrhoea, and other symptoms. The XRD results show that the minerals found in the dumpsites include; quartz, kaolinite, halloysite, zircon, albite, calcite, anatase and hematite of which quartz, kaolinite and haematite were the most common. The composite bar chart data for Otofure had percentages 38%, 25%, 16%, 12% and 9% for quartz, kaolinite/halloysite, hematite, zircon and anatase respectively. Relevant recommendations were made to policy makers, public health practitioners and the general public in managing dumpsites to minimize health risks.

The sand of the Benin formation in the Niger Delta basin of Nigeria was examined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and petrographic studies for its maturity, paleo-redox conditions, provenance and source area weathering. The paleo-redox conditions as revealed from the trace element ratios [(V/Cr: ~0.0025; V/Sc: ~0.03; Cr/Ni: ~3.52; V/Ni: ~0.009; U/Th: ~0.03; V/(Sc)3: ~0.00052 and V/(Ni+V)2: ~0.00028] as well from other geochemical fingerprints depict that the sediments strove in an oxidizing environment. The sand also had undergone substantial to intense chemical weathering (CIA: ~91.47; CIW: ~94.50; MIA: ~82.94; PIA: ~97.08) in a humid paleo- environment. The loss on ignition (LOI: ~7.33) investigated that significant amount of organic matter had been lost in the sample locations and that they had low sediment maturity (SiO2/Al2O3: ~1.89). The provenance from the major oxides inferred that the samples were from felsic source rocks (Al2O3/TiO2: ~27.67) with low clay content (ICV: ~0.34). The Quartz, Feldspar and Lithic (QFL) ternary diagram shows that the quartz type is sublithic-arenite and the petrographic studies indicate a compositionally mature sand. The correlation of the metallic oxides indicates an enrichment of silica and a depletion of other oxides signifying a common source for the sediments.

This study applies high-resolution aeromagnetic data to investigate the subsurface structural framework and hydrocarbon prospectivity of part of the Upper Benue Trough around Gombe, northeastern Nigeria. Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) data were processed using reduction-to-equator, derivative filters, upward continuation, analytic signal, Source Parameter Imaging (SPI), and Euler Deconvolution to delineate basement morphology, structural lineaments, intrusive bodies, and depth variations. The results reveal pronounced magnetic contrasts corresponding to alternating basement highs and deep sediment-filled depressions. Dominant NE–SW, NW–SE, and N–S structural trends define major rift-related faults and basement steps that strongly influence sediment distribution. Residual and upward-continued maps outline a persistent NW–SE-trending deep magnetic low representing a major depocentre favourable for significant sediment accumulation. SPI depth estimates range from 500 m over uplifted basement blocks to >3000 m in
troughs, while Euler solutions indicate structural depths reaching 4.8 km in deeply buried zones. These structural and depth variations highlight regions with potential hydrocarbon maturation and trapping conditions. The integrated aeromagnetic approach enhances understanding of the basin’s tectonic architecture and identifies structurally controlled depocentres that warrant further geophysical and geological evaluation for hydrocarbon exploration.

Groundwater serves as the primary source of potable water in central Cross River State, Nigeria, where communities face persistent challenges of borehole failure and poor water quality. These problems are linked to the complex hydrogeological framework of the Ikom-Mamfe Embayment, a sedimentary basin intruded by basic igneous rocks that significantly influence aquifer heterogeneity and groundwater chemistry. This study integrates hydrogeophysical and hydrogeochemical methods to characterize aquifers in Yakurr, Abi, Biase, and Obubra Local Government Areas. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys were conducted at 35 and 14 stations respectively, complemented with borehole data and hydrochemical analysis of 34 groundwater samples. Aquifer parameters such as transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and storativity were estimated from geophysical and pumping test data, while water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties, major ions, and trace metals. Hydrochemical facies were classified using Piper, Gibbs, and Durov plots, and Water Quality Index (WQI) was computed to assess suitability for domestic use. Results revealed aquifer depths ranging from X–Y m, with resistivity values indicating saturated sandstone and fractured zones as the dominant water-bearing units. Groundwater quality varied spatially, with some samples exceeding WHO and NIS permissible limits for Fe, Mn, and NO₃⁻. Hydrochemical facies were predominantly Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type, reflecting active water–rock interaction. Integration of geophysical and hydrochemical data provided a robust framework for delineating high-yield, good-quality aquifers. The findings are critical for improving borehole success rates and guiding sustainable groundwater management in the region.

This study examines the impacts of urban expansion and vegetation cover on the Lan Surface Temperature (LST) of Barishal city using integrated remote sensing and Geographic Information System techniques. Barishal, a prominent secondary coastal city in Bangladesh, is undergoing accelerated urban development following its designation as a city corporation. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a key indicator of vegetation cover, while the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) serves as an accurate representation of the extent of impervious built-up areas. These two indices collectively provide comprehensive insights into the characteristics of the land surface. This study monitors the interrelationship of LST with these two spectral indices using Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) for the summer season from 2005 to 2024. During this period, Changes in LST definitively ranged from -4°C to 8°C in the study area. The mean LST between 2005 and 2024 increased by -2.03°C, indicating a clear upward trend in LST. A weak negative correlation (R² = 0.1529) between LST and NDVI suggests that vegetation helps to lower urban temperatures. However, more research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms and extent of this effect, considering other factors like urban morphology and vegetation types. On the other hand, Built-up areas in Barishal city increase the LST, showing a moderate positive correlation (R² = 0.30) between the NDBI and LST, which contributes to the Urban Heat Island effect. The study provides key information for climate assessment for coastal urban areas in Bangladesh by evaluating the influence of vegetation and urban growth on urban thermal patterns.