Journal of
Geology and Mining Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Geol. Min. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9766
  • DOI: 10.5897/JGMR
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 176

Article in Press

Investigating the viability of geothermal potential within Benue state, central Nigeria from radiometric and high resolution aeromagnetic data

Adebayo Adetona

  •  Received: 03 August 2018
  •  Accepted: 05 October 2018
The study focuses on both (qualitatively and quantitatively) analysis of high resolution Aeromagnetic data for the estimation of geothermal potential within the eastern part of Lower Benue Basin and correlating the results from the qualitative analysis of Radiometric concentration data of the study area. The study area covers a total area of 18,150 km2 , six aeromagnetic sheets covers the area, major towns are Markudi, Gboko, Otukpo, Agena, Akwana and Katsina-Ala, it is bounded by latitude 70.00' and 80.00' and longitude 80.00'and 90.50'. The aeromagnetic data was subjected to furrier analysis and then spectral analysis of 12 sub sections were carried out. From the spectral analysis the depth to the top of magnetic sources varies from 0.28 Km to 0.36 Km while the depth to the bottom of magnetic sources varies from 5.52 Km to 9.63 Km. The modified curie depth method was employed in evaluating the curie point depth, Heat flow and Geothermal gradient ware also obtained. The region found to have a shallow curie depth of 9 km at the south-western and south-eastern part of the study area has an average geothermal heat flow 103.98 Wm-2. The geothermal gradient also has a value of 62℃/km and 30℃/km respectively with an average value of 41.59 oC/km , anomalous high heat flow of (153.35, 135.62 Wm-2 ) was obtained within around Katsina- Ala and Oturkpo of the study area. Correlating this result with the analysis of the radiometric values covering the study area the ternary map shows that potassium and thorium radioactive content noticeably high within these areas where relatively high heat flow values where obtained, this is then associated with their occurrence. The Radioactive Heat production within the two exothermally active areas was estimated to be 1.47 μW/m3 and 2.21 μW/m3 respectively.

Keywords: Geothermal potential. Heat flow, Ternary map