Geophysical Interpretation of Abakaliki And Bansara Area, Lower Benue Trough Nigeria Using Airborne Gravity Data

65 PAGES (11312 WORDS) Physics Project

              ABSTRACT

The Geophysical Airborne gravity data of Abakaliki and Bansara area of Lower Benue Trough Nigeria was interpreted qualitative and quantitative in order to determine the sedimentary thickness/depth to basement and the possibility of hydrocarbons accumulation in the area and also to determine the density contrast and different rock types or rock bearing minerals present in the area. Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) and Forward and Inverse modeling techniques were employed in quantitative interpretation. It was found that bouguer gravity anomaly value of Abakalilki and Bansara ranges from -14.7 mGal to 12.8 mGal while the residual anomaly ranges from -12.6 mGal to 11.4 mGal. The SPI depth ranges from -1002.5 to -7733.3 m. This depths show thick sediment that is feasible for hydrocarbon accumulation. The depths of forward and inverse modeling for profiles 1-6 were estimated to be -2328, -1777, -1404, -2431, -1513 and -2036 m respectively with their respective density values of 2.550, 2.700, 1.980, 2.630, 2.550 and 2.700 g/cm3. These indicate that the presence of limestone, marble, graphite and granite causes the anomaly observed in the area.The study area has revealed potentials for mineral deposits, which could serve as raw material for many factories and industries in Nigeria. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Title Page                      i
 Approval page                     ii 
Dedication                       iii 
Acknowledgement                  iv 
Table of contents                     v
 List of figures                    viii 
List of Tables                    ix 
Abstract                       x
 CHAPTER ONE
 1.1 . Introduction                     1 
1.2.  Aims and objectives of the study            4
 1.3 Location and Geology of the area             4 
1.3.1 Lower Benue Trough                4 
CHAPTER TWO 2.1 Literature Review                  7
 CHAPTER THREE 3.1 Source of Data                  14 
6     3.2 Basic theory of gravity                14
 3.2.1 The Gravity method                14 
3.2.2 Gravity units                  16 
3.2.3 Gravity Formula                  16 
3.2.4 Instrumentation                  17 
3.2.4.1 Relative Gravimeters                17
 3.2.4.2 Absolute Gravimeters                18 
3.2.5 Reduction of observation                19 
3.2.5.1 Terrain corrections                20 
3.2.5.2 Tidal correction                  20 
3.2.5.3 EÖtvÖs correction                 21 
3.2.5.4 Latitude correction                22 
3.2.5.5 Elevation correction                22 
3.2.5.6 Free Air correction (FAC)              23 
3.2.5.7 Bouguer correction                23
 3.2.6 Rock densities                  24
 3.3 Materials                    27 
3.4 Methodology                    27 
7     3.4.1 Merging and gridding of the data            27 
3.4.2 Polynomial fitting                  27 
3.4.3 Derivatives                    28 
3.4.3.1 First vertical derivatives (FVD)            28
 3.4.3.2 Second vertical derivatives (SVD)            29 
3.4.3.3 Horizontal derivatives (HD)              30 
3.4.4 Forward and inverse modelling             30 
3.4.5 Source parameter imaging (SPI)             32 
CHAPTER FOUR 4.1 Data analysis and Results                34 
4.1.1 Bouguer gravity map                34 
4.1.2 Residual and Regional Bouguer map            35 
4.1.3 Derivatives                    36 
4.1.4 Source parameter imaging (SPI)            38
 4.1.5 Forward and inverse modeling              39
 4.2 Discussion and Results                45
 CHAPTER FIVE 
5.1 Conclusion                    46 
8     5.2 Recommendations                  46
 References