Application of 2-D resistivity and seismic tomography in the control of environmental degradation

Abstract One of the most serious dangers facing the world today is environmental degradation. The disruption of the earth is one of the factors that compose deterioration of the environment. The adverse effect of this cannot be downgraded. As important as site characterization is, if not properly managed can adversely affect our environment. As a result, alternative approaches may be considered to the traditional method of investigation, which is characterized by digging and invasion of the subsurface. Two methods of investigation were deployed in this study, they are electrical resistivity and seismic refraction tomography. The results obtained from these methods showed that the subsurface is non-homogeneous and vary in condition from place to place. The depth to competent layer for engineering construction purposes is between 7.5 and 16 meters, according to this survey, hence pile foundation is advised for building construction. This survey also discovered that the depth to competent layer for engineering construction purposes is between 7.5 m and 16 m, thus pile foundation is recommended for building construction. This research effort clearly revealed that engineering site characterization can be conducted without altering the original state of our environment.