APPLIED JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2756-6684
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/AJPS
Start Year: 2018
Email: ajps@integrityresjournals.org
Assessment of geothermal resource potentials at some parts of Central Benue, Nigeria, using aeromagnetic and radiometric data
https://doi.org/10.31248/AJPS2025.116 | Article Number: 57D229653 | Vol.6 (3) - June 2025
Received Date: 04 April 2025 | Accepted Date: 08 May 2025 | Published Date: 30 June 2025
Authors: Ejike K. Nnaemeka* , Gabriel N. Egwuonwu , Orji Obinwa , Chiagozie C. Onyekwelu and Nneji G. Ezenwa
Keywords: Heat flow, Airborne radiometric, geothermal energy, magnetic, radiogenic heat.
The study presents the results of the assessment and analysis of geothermal heat flow and radiogenic heat contributions of some parts of the central Benue Trough, Nigeria. The assessment and analysis are for probable geothermal energy exploration on a reconnaissance basis employing aeromagnetic and radiometric datasets. The data was analysed to determine the geothermal energy potential of the area and its possible utilisation for improved access to power. The interpretation of aeromagnetic data comprises subdivision of the total magnetic field reduced to the equator (TMI_RTE) into twenty-five equal (25) overlapping spectral blocks of 55×55 km windows. Hence, spectral analysis via fast Fourier transform (FFT) was executed for each overlapping spectral blocks and depths to the centroid and top boundary of magnetic bodies were obtained from the plots of the log of spectral energies against wave number. The results obtained from depths to the centroid and top boundary (Z0 & Zt) were used to compute the Basal depth (Curie point depth). The Curie point depth ranges from 8.18 to 41.45 km with an average value of 16.39 km. Geothermal gradient and heat flow estimated from CPD using an average thermal conductivity of 2.17 Wm-1°C-1 gave values ranging from 13.99 to 70.90°C/km (average of 42.18 °C/km) and 30.36 to 153.85 mWm-2 (average of 91.96 mWm-2), respectively. The result for the radiogenic heat generation ranged from 0.9 to 2.90 μWm-3. In summary, the study shows combine high geothermal heat flow and radiogenic heat contributions from both datasets signifying probable geothermal sources, viable for geothermal energy exploration in the southeastern, northeastern, southwestern and top northern parts of the area, such as Ihugh, Katsina-Ala, Wuse, Otupko, Otobi Lafia, Giringwe, and Agyaragu.
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