Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Abstract

Comparison of the Characteristics of Low Velocity Layer (LVL) in the Mangrove Swamp and in the Upper Flood Plain Environments in the Niger Delta, using Seismic Refraction Methods

Uko ET, Emudianughe JE and Eze CL

Sixteen (16) surface-laid-geophones and fourteen (14) downhole-laid-hydrophones experiments were conducted in Upper Flood Plain and in Mangrove Swamp areas respectively in parts of the Niger Delta. The aim is to compare low-velocity-layer (LVL) characteristics in the two environments. The velocity and depth of the weathered layer and those of the consolidated layers were calculated using depth-time plots. The interpreted data showed a substantial variation of the weathered layer thickness and elevation in the two study areas. In the Upper Flood Plain, LVL thickness varies between 2.8 m and 40 m with an average of 21.46 m. In the Mangrove Swamp, the thickness varies between 2.0 m and 5.5 m with an average of 3.40 m. The weathered layer thickness in the Mangrove Swamp is fairly uniform having an average of 3.4 m. This highly variable LVL thickness indicates the necessity of correcting for this layer during seismic reflection processing. A close study of the results reveals a thickening of the weathered layer northwards accompanying the increase in elevation. Elevations in Upper Flood Plain vary between 3.4 m and 156 m with average of 69.90 m; the elevations in Mangrove Swamp vary between-0.10 m (sub-sea) and 0.4 m with an average -0.0043 m implying that the topography of the Mangrove Swampy area is highly variable and undulated. The weathered layer velocity in the Upper flood Plain varies between 313.67 ms-1 and 984 ms-1 with average of 438.80 ms-1. In the Mangrove Swamp, weathered layer velocity varies between 294.5 ms-1 and 863 ms-1 with average of 524.10 ms-1. The average velocities of the underlying consolidate layer in the Upper Flood and Mangrove Swamp are 1753.28 ms-1 and 1603.51 ms-1 respectively depicting a general increase in the velocity with amount of consolidation of the bedrock in the two areas. Analysis of the velocity spectra suggests that low air-blast velocity, of the order of laboratory velocity of sound in air of 343 ms-1 at 20°C resulting from direct blast waves could have been drawn in. For the dry Upper Flood Plain and moist-laden Mangrove Swamp, the air-blast velocities are 346.80 ms-1 and 539.70 ms-1 respectively at 27°C which is the average atmospheric temperature in the Niger Delta. The results of this work compare closely with those of Uko et al., Eze and Okwueze, Enikanselu, Lazzari et al., Ibogboekwe and Ohaegbuchu, and Ofomola who worked on LVL characteristic in different environments in the Niger Delta. The results of this work can used for static correction in seismic processing, for planning and assessing risk for engineering structures, and for groundwater exploration.