An Open Investigation of Some Soil Pipes Forming Soil Subsidence at Awka South Local Government Area Using Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Geophysical Technique

Chibuogwu I.U.¹ , Ugwu G.Z.²

1. Physics and Industrial Physics/Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
2. Dept. of Industrial Physics/Natural Sciences, Enugu State University for Science and Technology.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.9 , Issue.2 , pp.40-45, Feb-2023

Online published on Feb 28, 2023

Copyright © Chibuogwu I.U., Ugwu G.Z. . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

131 Views    172 Downloads    41 Downloads

Abstract :
One of the major causes of soil subsidence is soil piping, which general begins as a tiny hole called the flute hole in the ground but can grow extremely large if not monitored and controlled. The negative environmental consequences of Soil subsidence have been reported in various part of Anambra state, Nigeria. As a result of this, there is a need to examine some parts of the state where these soil pipes are prevalent. Hence, this study will attempt to investigate soil pipes located inside a soil subsidence at two locations in Awka South local government Area in Anambra state: Awka site I and Awka site II with geographic location “6.22320N and 7.08240E” and “6.22200N and 7.08190E” respectively using the Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic (VLF-EM) geophysical technique. A total of four profiles were surveyed, two at each of the study areas, with a traverse length of 100m and spacing of 5m. The result obtained shows that the study areas have developed a void like vertical structure of about 2m and 0.5m in depth from the top of the profile. A low conductivity (0.01 -0.5S/m) was obtained in the Karous-Hjelt filtering, which coincides to a maximum negative responds of the Fraser Filtering inside the soil subsidence structure for each of the sites while profiles that are far from the piping structures do not indicate any form of cavity or low conductivity.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Soil piping, soil subsidence, void, very low frequency electromagnetism, Geophysical survey.

References :
[1] C. Castillo and J.A. Gómez. “A century of gully erosion research: Urgency, complexity and study approaches”. Earth-Science Rev. Vol.160, pp.300–319, 2016.
[2] O. Cerdan, G. Govers, Y. Le Bissonnais, K. Van Oost, J. Poesen, N. Saby, A. Gobin, A. Vacca, J. Quinton, K. Auerswald, A. Klik, F.J.P.M. Kwaad, D. Raclot, I. Ionita, J. Rejman, S. Rousseva, T. Muxart, M.J. Roxo, T. Dostal. “Rates and spatialvariations of soil erosion in Europe: A study based on erosion plot data. Geomorphology.Vol.122,pp.167–177, 2010.
[3] I.U. Chibuogwu, and T.N Obiekezie. “Solar Forcing on Meteorological Parameter in Nigeria”. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Science and Advanced Technology. Vol 2 No 11, pp15 – 23, 2010.
[4] A. Nkiru, E.E. Emma, and C. O. Anthony. “Flood Metigation parameters of Aptiti Wetlands Soil in a Segment of Mamu River Basin, Nigeria”. Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol 6. No 2. pp.13 – 23, 2010.
[5] J.M. García-Ruiz. T. Lasanta, and F. Alberto. “Soil erosion by piping in irrigated fields”. Geomorphology Vol.20,269-278, 1997.
[6] Z. Li, and H. Fang. “Impacts of climate change on water erosion: a review”. Earth Sci.Rev. Vol.163, pp.94–117, 2016.
[7] A. Bernatek-Jakiel, A. Kacprzak, and M. Stolarczyk. “Impact of soil characteristics on piping activity in a mountainous area under a temperate climate (Bieszczady Mts.,Eastern Carpathians)”. Catena, Vol.141, pp.117–129, 2016.
[8] E. Nadal-Romero, E. Verachtert, and J. Poesen. “Pinhole test for identifying susceptibility of soils to piping erosion: effect of water quality and hydraulic head”.Advances in Studies on Desertification. Contributions to the International Conference on Desertification in Memory of Professor John B. Thornes. Murcia, pp.351–354, 2009.
[9]G.G Parker, and C. Higgins. “Piping and pseudokarst in dry lands”. Geol. Soc. Amer. Special Paper, Vol.252, pp.77–110, 1990.
[10]M.R.Y. Putty, and R. Prasad. “Runoff processes in headwater catchments—an experimental study in Western Ghats, South India”. J. Hydrol, Vol 235, (1), pp.63–71, 2000.
[11]G.G Parker. “Piping, a geomorphic agent in landform development of the drylands”. International Association of Scientific Hydrologists Publication, Vol. 65, pp.103–113. 1963.
[12]R.B Bryan. L.E. and Harvey. “Observations on the geomorphic significance of tunnel erosion in a semi-arid ephemeral drainage system”. Geogr. Ann. Ser. A.Phys.Geogr. Vol.67, pp.257–272, 1985.
[13]J. Holden. “Controls of soil pipe frequency in upland blanket peat”. J. Geophys. Res.110, pp.1–11, 2005.
[14]J.A.A. Jones. “Implications of natural soil piping for basin management in upland Britain Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences”, University of Wales Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, UK, 1997.
[15]T.C. Pierson. “Soil pipes and slope stability”. Quart. J. Eng. Geol.Hydrogeo. Vol. 16 (1), pp.1–11, 1983.
[16]Z. Czeppe. “Zjawiska sufozyjne w glinach zboczowych g´ornej cz?´sci dorzecza Sanu (Suffosional phenomena in slope loams of the Upper San drainage basin)”. Biuletyn Instytutu Geologicznego, Z bada´n czwartorz?du. Vol.9, pp297–324, 1960.
[17]Myank Joshi, Quaternary International, https//doi.org/10.1016/J.quaint.2020.08.021
[18]A. Bernatek-Jakiel, M. Jakiel, and M. Sobucki. “Changes in a piping system on the Mt Ki?czyk Bukowski (High Bieszczady Mountains)”. Rocz. Bieszczadzkie. Vol. 23, pp239–250, 2015.
[19]O. Shakrudeen, A. Abiodun. And Nkechi. I, A.A.Olubumma. “Land Susceptibility to Soil Erosion in Orashi Catchment, Nnewi South, Anambra State” Nigeria. Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences. Vol.376. pp.87 – 97, 2018.
[20]J.I Igbikwe. I.C. Ezeomedo. and J.C Ejikeme. “Identification of Urban Sprawl using GIS Techniques: A case Study of Onitsha and its Environs in Southeast, Nigeria”. International Journal of Remote Sensing and Geoscience. Vol 2, pp.41 – 49, 2013.
[21]F.G Ochege, and C. Okpala – Okeke. “Remote Sensing of Vegetation Cover Changes in the Humid Tropical Rainforest of southeastern, Nigeria (1984 – 2014)” . Vol 3, Issue 2, 45 – 50, 2017.
[22]I.O Nich. and C.J. OkekeOgbu. “Erosion Problems and their impacts in Anambra State, Nigeria (A case Study of Nanka Community)”. International Journal of Environment and Pollution Research. Vol 5, No.1, 24 -87, 2017.
[23]I.E. Ezenkwen. “Gully Erosion in Anambra State: Nanka” Patrotic Union Journal. Vol.1, pp.9 – 10. 2010.
[24]J.N. Uchegbu. “The role of Government and Citizens in erosion control” in H.C. Mbah et al, Management of Environmental Problems and Hazard in Nigeria. Ashgate Publishing LTD Cower House. Croft Road Aldrshot Gill 3HR England, 2004.
[25]E. Cardarelli, G. Di Filippo, and E. Tuccinardi. “Electrical resistivity tomography to detect buried cavities in Rome: a case study”, Near Surface Geophysics. Vol. 4, pp. 387-392, 2006.
[26]J. Munk, and R.A. Sheets. “Detection of underground void in Ohio by use of geophysical method”. US Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report. 97-4221, 1996.
[27]A. Bernatek-Jakiel and M. Kondracka. “Combining geomorphological mapping and near surface geophysics (GPR and ERT) to study piping systems”. Geomorphology. Vol. 274, 193–209, 2019.
[28]G.T. Palacky, I.L. Ritsema and S.J. De Jong. “Electromagnetic prospecting for groundwater in Pre-cambrian terrains in the Republic of Upper Volta”. Geophysical Prospecting. Vol. 26. pp. 932 –935, 1981.
[29]P. Kaikkonen, and S.P. Sharma. “Delineation of near surface structures using VLF-EM and VLF-R data: insight from the joint inversion results”. Leading Edge. Vol. 16, pp.1683-1686, 1997.
[30]M. Karous, and S.E. Hjelt. “Linear–Filtering of VLF dip-angle measurements”. Geophysics. Prosp. 31,782-894, 1983.
[31]Fraser, D.C., 1969. Contouring of VLF-EM data. Geophysics 34, 958–967.
[32]Ayad Ali Faris Beg. “Utilization of Very Low Frequency (VLF) Technique in Surveying of Groundwater: a Case Study – Shadnagar – Papireddyguda, A.P., India”. International Journal of Environment and Water ISSN 2052 – 3408, Vol 2, 2013.
[33]F.A Monteiro Santus, M. Antonion, F. George, and Mario Concalves. “Mapping Groundwater Contamination around a Landfill Facility using the VLF Method – A case Study”. Journal of Applied Geophysics, Vol 60, pp 115-125, 2006.
[34]C.O Onwuegbuchulam, O. Ikorod, V.N. Nwugha, and C.N. Okeke. Application of Very Low Frequency – Electromagnetic Method to Map Fracture/Conductive Zones in Auchi South Western Nigeria. The IJES, 5, pp 07 – 13, 2016.
[35]O.O. Olawale, M. Oloseyi and E.O. Austin. “Integrated Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic (VLF-EM) Geophysical and Hydrochemical Study of Abeki Dumpsite in Southweatern Nigeria. Geoscience Engineering, Vol. LXIV, No. 2, pp.40 -51, 2018.
[36]Environment and Social Management Plan. Introduction to Environment Basic Concept. Teaching conducting agency. pp.21-26, 2016.