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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12 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. 13 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.
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DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA.
Keywords
GEOTHERMAL,, ENERGY,, POTENTIAL,, PART,, MIDDLE,, BENUE,, TROUGH,, LOCATED,, NASARAWA,, STATE.
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