Characterization of groundwater in the hydrogeological network of Lom River basin in eastern Cameroon using a DC electrical method.

Lom River basin, associated with outflow from the Lom River system, is located in the East Region of Cameroon. The geology of the basin comprises Precambrian crystalline and crystallophyllian rocks, which are characterized by their compact nature and their low capacity to hold water. Permeable horizons observed in these rocks have developed through fracturing and weathering processes. Direct current (DC) geoelectrical surveys have been carried out in the Lom River basin, especially in the Betare Oya subdivision (administrative unit). The main objective of these surveys was to determine the major features of the permeable layers or aquifers of the hydrogeological network of the Lom River basin. Results from the collected data, interpreted with appropriate software and correlated with geological and hydrogeological field data, identified the conductive zones, characterized by vertical and lateral resistivity contrasts. The conductive zones represent the fractured and weathered horizons or permeable horizons, and these are protected from above by a variable overburden. This has enabled delineation of the shallow aquifer of weathered and decayed rocks and the deeper aquifer of the fissured basement. The groundwater flow direction in the deeper aquifer is NE–SW, i.e. parallel to the flow direction of Lom River. The study reveals the effectiveness of the DC electrical method in characterization of the flows of hydrogeological networks of river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]