Spectral Analysis of High-Resolution Aeromagnetic Data for Geothermal Energy Reconnaissance across Sokoto Basin, Northwest, Nigeria

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 1. Ph.D. Student, Department of Science, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria-- 2. Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

2 Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract

This study interprets aeromagnetic data across Sokoto Basin with the aim of estimating the Curie point depth, geothermal gradient and heat flow for geothermal energy exploration. The study area lies between the longitude of 30E and 60E and latitudes 110N and 130N. The total magnetic intensity of the area was subjected to regional/residual separation using polynomial fitting. The residual data was divided into 30 overlapping spectral blocks, where the log of spectral energies was plotted against the frequency; hence, the centroid depth and the top to the magnetic sources were deduced. These depth results were used in estimating the Curie point Depth and geothermal gradient. The total magnetic intensity indicated a variation of 32932.84 to 33118.27 nT, while the residual map shows magnetic anomalies that vary from -82 to 51 nT, both maps indicated high, low and intermediary magnetic anomalies. The centroid depth results vary from 4.67 to 28.80 km, and the top to the magnetic source varies from 1.04 to 4.65 km with an average depth of 2.21 km. The Curie point depth range from 6.92 to 55.04 km with an average depth of 18.65 km, and the geothermal gradients revealed ranges from 10.54 oCkm-1 at the Southwest (Danko and Gummi) areas to 83.82oCkm-1 at the northwest (Argungu) area. Therefore, these areas with high geothermal gradients are good indicators of geothermal energy potential and should be exploited for more power generation.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abd, E.L. and Nabi, S.H., 2012, Curie point depth beneath the Barramiya-Red Sea coast area estimated from aeromagnetic spectral analysis. J. Asian Earth Sci., 43, 254–266.
Aboud, A., Salem, A. and Mekkawi, M., 2011, Curie depth map for Sinai Peninsula, Egypt deduced from the analysis of magnetic data. Tectonophysics, 506, 46–54.
Adedapo, J.O., Ikpokonte, A.E., Kurowska, E. and Schoeneich, K., 2014, An Estimate of Oil Window in Nigeria Niger Delta Basin from Recent Studies. Am. Int. J. Cont. Res., 4(9), 114-121.
Adetona, A.A. and Udensi, E.E., 2007, Spectral Depth Determination to Buried Magnetic Rocks under the Lower Sokoto basing using aeromagnetic Data. Nigeria Journal of Physics (NIP), 19(2), 275-283.
Adewumi, T., Salako, K.A., Adediran, O.S., Okwoko, O.I. and Sanusi, Y.A., 2019, Curie point Depth and Heat Flow Analyses over Part of Bida Basin, North Central Nigeria using Aeromagnetic Data. Journal of Earth Energy Engineering, 8(1), 1-8.
Aliyu, A., Salako, K.A., Adewumi, T. and Mohammed, A., 2018, Interpretation of High-Resolution Aeromagnetic Data to Estimate the Curie Point Depth Isotherm of Parts of Middle Benue Trough, North-East, Nigeria. Physical Science International Journal, 17(3), 1-9.
Bansal, A., Gabriel, G. and Dimri, V., 2010, Depth to the bottom of magnetic sources in Germany. EGM 2010 International Workshop Adding new value to Electromagnetic, Gravity and Magnetic Methods for Exploration Capri, Italy.
Beardsmore, G.R. and Cull, J.P., 2001, Crustal heat flow: A guide to measurement and modeling. Cambridge University Press, New York, pg. 332.
Berktold, A., 1983, Electromagnetic studies in geothermal regions: Geophys. Surv., 6, 173-200.
Bhattacharyya, B.K., 1966, Continuous spectrum of the total magnetic field anomaly due to a rectangular prismatic body. Geophysics, 31, 97:121. 21.
Bhattacharyya, B.K. and Leu, L.K., 1975, Analysis of magnetic anomalies over Yellowstone National Park: Mapping of Curie point isothermal surface for geothermal reconnaissance. Journal of Geophysical Research, 80, 4461–4465.
Bonde, D.S., Udensi, E.E. and Momoh, M., 2014, Modeling of Magnetic Anomaly zones in Sokoto Basin, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics, 2(1), Ver. I. PP 19-25.
Byerly, P. and Stolt, R.H., 1977, An attempt to define the Curie Point Isotherm in Northern and Central Arizona, Geophysics, 42, 1394-1400.
Connard, G., Couch, R. and Gempererie, M., 1983, Analysis of Aeromagnetic measurement from the Cascade Range in Central Oregon, Geophysics, 48, 376-390.
Dickson, M. and Fanelli, M., 2004, What is geothermal energy. Instituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, CNR , Pisa, Italy.
Dolmaz, M.N., Ustaomer, T., Hisarli, Z.M. and Orbay, N., 2005, Curie point depth variations to infer thermal structure of the crust at the African-Eurasian convergence zone, SW Turkey. Earth Planets Space, 57, 373–383.
Eletta, B.E. and Udensi, E.E., 2012, Investigation of Curie point isotherm from the magnetic field of Easter sector of central Nigeria. Global journal of Geosciences, 101– 106.
Georgsson, L.S., 2009, Geophysical methods in geothermal exploration. Short Course on Surface Exploration for Geothermal Resources, UNU-GTP and La Geo, El Salvador.
Gilbert, D. and Geldano, A., 1985, A computer programme to perform transformations of gravimetric and aeromagnetic surveys. Comput. Geosci., 11, 553–588.
Hantschel, T. and Kauerauf, A.A., 2009, Fundamentals of Basin and Petroleum Systems Modeling. Spring-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Kamba, A.H., Muhammad, S. and Illo, A.G., 2017, Basement Depth Estimates of some part of Lower Sokoto Sedimentary Basin, North-western Nigeria, Using Spectral Depth Analysis. International Journal of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Sciences, 6(1), 1-9.
Kogbe, C.A., 1989, Cretaceous and Tertiary of the Iullemmeden Basin in Nigeria in: C.A. Kogbe (eds.), Geology of Nigeria, 377-421. Jos, Rock View Publ. Co.
Kogbe, C.A., 1979, Geology of the South Eastern (Sokoto) Sector of the Iullemmeden Basin Bulletin, Department of Geology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 2(1), 2.
Kogbe, C.A., 1981, Cretaceous and Tertiary of the Iullemmeden Basin in Nigeria (West Africa) Cretaceous Research, 2, 129-186.
Leu, L.K., 1981, Use of reduction-to-equator process for magnetic data interpretation: Presented at the 51st Ann, Internat. Mtg., Sot. Exnl. Geonhv, Geophysics, 47, 445.
Lowrie, W., 1997, Fundamental of Geophysics. Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom.
McCurry, P., 1976, The geology of the Precambrian to lower paleaozoic rocks of Northern Nigeria: A Review. In Kogbe CA, (ed.), Geology of Nigeria. Lagos: Elizabethan Pub. Co. 18-40.
Mishra, D.C. and Naidu, P.S., 1974, Two-dimensional Power spectral analysis of aeromagnetic Fields. Geophysics Prop, 22, 345–534.
Nnaemeka, E.B., 2017, Geophysical Investigation of Argungu and Dange areas, Sokoto Basin Nigeria using aeromagnetic data. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria. Pp. 81.
Nwankwo, L.I., Olasehinde, P.I. and Akoshile, C.O., 2011, Heat flow anomalies from spectral analysis of aeromagnetic data of Nupe Basin, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Earth Sciences. 1–7.
Obaje, N.G., 2009, Geology and mineral resources of Nigeria (Vol. 120): Springer.
Offodile, M.E., 2002, Groundwater Study and Development in Nigeria, Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd, Jos, Nigeria.
Ofor, N.P. and Udensi, E.E., 2014, Determination of the Heat Flow in the Sokoto Basin, Nigeria using Spectral Analysis of Aeromagnetic Data. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 4(6), 83-93.
Okubo, Y., Graf, J.R., Hansen, R.O., Ogawa, K. and Tsu, H., 1985, Curie point depth of the Island of Kyushu surrounding areas. Japan Geophysics, 53, 481-491.
Onuoha, K.M., Ofoegbu, C.O. and Ahmed, M.N., 1994, Spectral analysis of aeromagnetic data over the middle Benue trough, Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology, 30(2), 211-217.
Power Africa, 2018, Power Africa Nigeria Fact Sheet.
Rowland, A.A. and Ahmed, N., 2018, Determination of Curie Depth Isotherm and Geothermal Studies over Parts of Nasarawa and Environs, North Central Nigeria. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science, 3(4), 69-81.
Salako, K.A., Adetona, A.A., Rafiu, A.A., Alahassan, U.D., Aliyu, A. and Adewumi, T., 2020, Assessment of Geothermal Potential of Parts of Middle Benue Trough, North-East Nigeria. Journal of the Earth and Space Physics, 45(4), 27-42.
Salako, K.A. and Udensi, E.E., 2013, Spectral depth analysis of parts of upper Benue trough and Borno basin, North-East Nigeria. Using Aeromagnetic Data. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 2(8), 2319-7064.
Salem, A., Ushijima, K., Elsirafi, A. and Mizunaga, H., 2000, Spectral analysis of aeromagnetic data for geothermal reconnaissance of Quesir area, northern Red Sea. Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress 2000, International Geothermal Association/IGA, 1669–1674.
Shehu, A.T., Olatunji, S. and Lawal, T.O., 2016, Assessment of Geothermal Potential of Sokoto Basin. Northwestern Nigeria Using Spectral Centroid Analysis of High-Resolution Aeromagnetic (HRAM) Data. Journal of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Education, 12(2), 27-36.
Shuey, R.T., Schellinger, D.K., Tripp, A.C. and Alley, L.B., 1977, Curie depth determination from aeromagnetic spectra. Geophysical Journal Royal Astronomical Society, 50, 75–101.
Spector, A. and Grant, F., 1970, Statistical models for interpreting aeromagnetic data. Geophysics, 35(2), 293-302. 
Stampolidis, A., Kane, I., Tsokas, G. and Tsourlos, P., 2005, Curie point depths of Albania inferred from ground total field magnetic data. Surveys in Geophysics, 26(4), 461-480. 
Stacey, F.O., 1977, Physics of the Earth. John Wiley and sons. New York.
Tanaka, A., Okubo, Y. and Matsubayashi, O., 1999, Curie point depth based on spectrum analysis of the magnetic anomaly data in East and Southeast Asia. Tectonophysics, 306(3-4), 461-470.
Trifonova, P., Zhelev, Zh., Petrova, T. and Bojadgieva, K., 2006, Curie point depths of Bulgarian territory inferred from geomagnetic observations and its correlation with regional thermal structure and seismicity. Tectonophysics, 473, 362– 374.
Tselentis, G., 1991, An attempt to define Curie point depths in Greece from aeromagnetic and heat flow data. Pure and applied geophysics, 136(1), 87-101.
Ugwu, G.Z., Ezema, P.O. and Ezeh, C.C., 2013, Interpretation of Aeromagnetic data over Okigwe and Afikpo Areas of the Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria. International Research Journal of Geology and Mining (IRJGM), 3(1), 1-8.
Uysal, T., 2009, Tracing the Origin of Heat Anomalies in Hot Sedimentary Aquifer System in
Australia. http://Geothermalenergy centreofExcellence.org.
Wright, J., Hastings, D., Jones, W. and Williams, H., 1985, Geology and Mineral Resources of West Africa. London: George Allen and Unwin publishers Ltd.
Zboril, L., 1984, Sketch map of oil-bearing structures. Geofyzika, Brno, Czechoslovakia. Pp. 94.
Zira, A.M., 2013, Challenges and Prospects of Geophysical Exploration of Geothermal System for National Development. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(12), 137-143.
Journal of the Earth and Space Physics
Volume 46, Issue 4
February 2021
Pages 147-158

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics