GEOTHERMAL ENERGY POTENTIAL IN THE PART OF MIDDLE BENUE TROUGH LOCATED IN NASARAWA STATE
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY POTENTIAL IN THE PART OF MIDDLE BENUE TROUGH LOCATED IN NASARAWA STATE
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Date
2010-06
Authors
JAMES, BAKO ARUWA SARKINPADA
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I must thank all my masters’ colleagues and friends from other departments, especially
Superintendent of Police Yahuza Mohammed from Sociology, and Alex Jock from Chemical
Engineering, and to all who contributed in one way or the other during this work. My special
thanks go to Mr. Joel Yanet, Inspector Sunday Luka Aya, Lukman Ibrahim (a 400 Level
Geology student) and Blessing Joseph Kagoro for their concern and Kindheartedness.
I appreciate the support, advice and encouragement given to me by my uncles especially
Alh. Halidu Sani - Director Agric.. Brothers and Sisters. Kudos to my able and dedicated
Family, most especially to my children - Gunne Devine, Damiye Courage and my first
successor Guyitsa Wisdom and my sweet Madam, Monica Sale.
For those not mentioned, but who have contributed towards the success of this work through
whatever means, may the good Lord reward and bless them bountifully. Amen.
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ABSTRACT
In Nasarawa State, little known thermal springs exist. These springs are indicators of
probable high geothermal potential in the Middle Benue Trough of Nigeria, within the State.
However, nobody so far has studied their geothermal potential. Therefore this study is aimed
at identifying and delineating the areas of positive geothermal anomalies as prospective
locations of geothermal energy deposits. This study has documented these surface
geothermal manifestations and added documentation of sub-surface manifestations, in
boreholes drilled for water supply. The springs and boreholes were located with satellite
navigator and temperature of water has been measured, Akiri thermal spring has the highest
temperature (53.2 o C). Water from the thermal springs was sampled and analyzed, apart
from Azara and kanje thermal Springs that are of meteoric origin, the rest(5) are of connate
origin with mineralization as high as 6644-50736 mg/l . Altogether 150 boreholes and seven
thermal springs were studied. Then the results were plotted in form of geothermal gradient
map, the first geothermal map in the Benue Trough of Nigeria. Several positive geothermal
anomalies were discovered with the highest (9.3 o C/100m) around the Awe anticline. High
geothermal gradients are a prerequisite for any type of geothermal system. Therefore the
exploration which will follow the effort presented in this research should concentrate on
more detailed studies of the geothermal exploration techniques/methods for proper
utilization of these potentials.
Description
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA,
NIGERIA.
Keywords
GEOTHERMAL,, ENERGY,, POTENTIAL,, PART,, MIDDLE,, BENUE,, TROUGH,, LOCATED,, NASARAWA,, STATE.