Geotechnical characterisation of Obudu damsite, Obudu, south-eastern Nigeria

The Obudu dam is being built across Abeb river in Obudu area of the Cross River State (Nigeria). The earthfill dam will be approximately 18 m high with a crest length of 385 m. The dam site is located within part of the Obudu crystalline basement plateau which is a region of low seismicity. The terrain is smoothly undulating and low lying and was known to be composed of unclassified basement and decomposed bedrock (overburden). The present study was carried out to assess the suitability of the chosen dam axis based on the determination of the nature and geotechnical characteristics of the overburden and bedrock. The investigation included geophysical surveys, bearing capacity tests (cone penetrometer and standard penetration), classification and grain size distribution as well as tests for compaction, consolidation and compressive strength. The results show that the bedrock is heterogeneous, including gneisses sillimanite, biotite and granite types), dolerite, quartzite and pegmatite with an overall moderate strength (about 76.04 MN m⁻² average) and fair rock mass rating (RMR). The bedrock along the dam axis is apparently lacking in major fractures which could lead to short circuiting of the future impoundment. The overburden (soil) comprises silt (MH, ML), silty clay (CL) and silty sand (SM) with a combined thickness of about 2–20 m, increasing away from the valley floor towards the shoulders. Generally the overburden is of suitable compressive strength (150–300 KN m⁻²), low to medium plasticity and swelling potential and low permeability (up to 1.41 × 10⁻⁷ ms⁻¹) which would ensure a tight reservoir. The material settlement is expected to be small and slow. Accordingly, excavation of up to 5 m, decreasing towards the valley shoulders has been suggested to expose the recommended bearing medium: fresh/competent bedrock and overburden in the valley floor and flanks, respectively. While a detailed investigation of burrow areas was not part of the present study, a few potential sites in the dam axis and reservoir areas have been suggested based on the evaluation of material properties.     

Assessment of hydrogeological conditions in basement aquifers of the Precambrian Oban massif, southeastern Nigeria

A combined analysis of lineament length density from radar imagery and surface resistivity data is used to assess the hydrogeological conditions in the Oban massif, Nigeria. The results show that the data guided the qualitative and quantitative estimation of some aquifer parameters. These include resistivity of the water bearing formations (280–740 ω m), thickness (5–140 m), limited hydraulic conductivity (8.53-13.18 m/day) and transmissivity (410.65–725.88 m²/day) data. In addition, the lineament length density for the area ranged between less than 0.2 to slightly more than 0.4. Site evaluation for the location of productive boreholes/wells using a groundwater potential index (GWPI) indicates that areas with a GWPI of greater than 35 are consistent with relatively high yield.     

Assessment of textural variational pattern and electrical conduction of economic and accessible Quaternary hydrolithofacies via geoelectric and laboratory methods in SE Nigeria: A case study of select locations in Akwa Ibom State

Textural variational pattern of economic and accessible Quaternary aquifer repositories and its conductivity in the south-eastern Nigeria have been assessed through the integration of vertical electrical sounding and laboratory measurements. The results have shown the lithological attributes, pore-water and amount of residual clay minerals in the assumed clean sand; mechanism of charge fixation at the fluid - surface interface; intricate geometry of pores and pore channels; formation’s ability to transmit pore-water and cation exchange capacity.The connections of electrical and hydraulic properties and their distributions have been established. The average interface conductivity contributed by residual clay minerals in assumed clean sands of the aquifer repositories in the study area have been estimated as 30µS/m. Intrinsic average porosity and formation factor have been respectively deduced as 12% and 14.75. Comparing the simulated aquifer formation factor obtained from the observed porosity data with the observed aquifer formation factor, indicates the that study area has 0.5 ≤ a ≤ 0.8 pore geometry factor and 1.5 ≤ m ≤ 2.0 cementation factor as the best fitting values. The interrelations between aquifer parameters have been established through different plots and the aquifer have been empirically proved to be associated with residual clay minerals as the interface conductivity C_q is not equal to zero. The wide ranges of parameters estimated are an indication of variations in grain size. The estimated intrinsic average porosity, formation factor and the average BQ_v are viable in characterizing the aquifer flow dynamics and contaminant modelling in the associated aquifer sands For low pore geometry factors a (0.2) and low cementation factor m (0.5) the formation factor remains fairly constant. However, marked variability is noticed at higher a (1.0) and m (2.5). Despite the observed variability in formation factors at the indicated porosities, the spatial or geometrical spread of the formation factor remains unchanged in the aquifer units. The Tables for geoelectric and petrophysical parameters and the associated mathematical models generated in this study can be used for groundwater contaminant modelling and simulation of pore space parameters with reasonable accuracy.     

Behavior of molybdenum in alkali silicate melts: Effects of excess SiO2 and CO2

The effects of excess SiO₂ and CO₂ on the solubility of molybdenite in hydrous sodium disilicate melts were experimentally determined at 680 bars and 650°C. The molybdenite solubility decreases with increasing SiO₂ and CO₂. Under the experimental conditions, the MoS₂ content of the vapor-saturated liquid decreases from 10 wt.% to 2.5 wt.% at SiO₂ saturation. In the presence of CO₂, the solubility decreases to 4.6 wt.% MoS₂ and becomes negligible at high P_CO2. These results are explained as deriving from the increased polymerization and hence decreased NBO/Si ratio of the melt with increasing SiO₂ content and CO₂, respectively. Sulfur dissolves principally as SO₄^?2 at the relatively high fo₂ of the experiments. Consequently, the effect of sulfur is to lower the Mo solubility by effectively decreasing the NBO/Si ratio of the melt. Sulfur saturation is, therefore, likely to be a limiting factor in the Mo content of alkali silicate melts because of the chalcophile affinities of molybdenum.     

Surface water quality evaluation in Odukpani, Calabar Flank, south-eastern Nigeria

 The present article is the second in a series of baseline water quality evaluation studies in parts of south-eastern Nigeria. Study results indicate that the water samples from the study are generally acidic, soft and fresh in addition to low sodium and salinity hazard. Regression equations indicate a good positive correlation between conductivity and Na, Ca, Mg and SO₄. Ca-SO₄ and Ca-Cl constitute the major facies in the area. Generally the waters in the area are good for most domestic and agricultural purposes. Received: 14 April 1997 · Accepted: 3 February 1998     

Geotechnical,Geological, and Hydrologic Characterization of a 52 km Electrical Power Transmission Line Alignment Route in Southeastern Nigeria

A 132 kVA electrical transmission line has been proposed to connect the towns of Eket and Ikot Abasi in the eastern Niger delta in Nigeria. A geotechnical and hydrological study was performed to geotechnically characterize the route alignment and to provide data for design of the foundations for the transmission towers. In this paper, we introduce the study location and its geological, topographical and physiological characteristics, present the hydrological and geotechnical investigations and their results, and make recomendations for the design of the transmission tower foundations. Hydrological inspection of the power line alignment revealed that the route is traversed by numerous tributaries of the Qua-Iboe and Imo Rivers, the two major rivers that control the drainage of the study area. In-situ geotechnical tests consisted of cone penetration tests (CPTs), vane shear tests, test pit sampling (0–2.0 m depth) and lithologic boreholes (20 and 50 m deep). Laboratory tests included grain size analysis, pH determination and Atterberg Limits. Based on the CPT log pattern, no of stratum, and refusal depths, the soils along the transmission alignment were classified into twelve structural domains having common geotechnical properties. Because of the elevated water levels, and the nature of the soils, deep pile foundations were recommended for the towers. Software from the Louisiana Transportation Research Center, was employed to estimate skin friction, end bearing, and ultimate bearing capacities for assumed 225 mm square shaped reinforced concrete pile in each of the different zones of the alignment.     

Hydrochemical studies of Cross River Basin (southeastern Nigeria) river systems using cross plots, statistics and water quality index

Water quality assessment study of the three major rivers within the Cross River Basin have been carried out using cross plots, ionic ratio, correlation analysis, factor analysis and water quality index (WQI) based on the World Health Organization and world average data guidelines. The primary aim was to determine their suitability for domestic and irrigation uses, while the secondary aim was to determine the sources of the ions in the river water. The results showed that the water samples from the Cross River estuary generally had elevated values of dissolved ions as compared to the Calabar and Great Kwa Rivers. Cross plots, ionic ratios, correlation and factor analyses showed tidal influence, silicate weathering, nitrate pollution and dissolution of carbonate minerals from soil CO₂ as the origin of the variables. Chemical indices including sodium adsorption ratio and residual sodium carbonate indicate that the river water of the study area are suitable for domestic and irrigation, while sodium percentage (Na %) indicate unsuitability for irrigation applications. The WQI values on the average indicate water of very poor to excellent quality. Generally in terms of quality for the different rivers, the Great Kwa River is best as compared to the Calabar River and Cross River estuary for domestic and irrigation purposes.     

Evaluation of water quality pollution indices for heavy metal contamination monitoring. A study case from Akpabuyo-Odukpani area, Lower Cross River Basin (southeastern Nigeria)

This article seeks to show the characteristics of homework in the traditional industrial sectors of clothing and footwear in Germany and Spain. We focus, first, on the national contexts in order to grasp how homework is embedded in the economic, political and social environment, and second, on the women's perspective regarding how homework is integrated into their everyday lives and vital expectatives. Finally, we compare the two different national and cultural contexts and draw some conclusions with which we would like to enrich further discussions on homework. The analysis is based mainly on in-depth interviews and participant observation. The study in Germany was carried out in urban and rural areas of Bavaria, and the Spanish study occurred in rural areas of Catalunya, Galicia, Andalusia, and Valencia. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.