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New perspective on the geothermal potential of Wikki Warm Spring, Northeastern Nigeria, from remote sensing and radiometric data

  • Research Article - Hydrology and Hydraulics
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Abstract

The Wikki Warm Spring is one of the promising locations for the development of geothermal projects in Nigeria. Radiometric and remote sensing data were interpreted to enhance the understanding of the factors controlling the geothermal energy sources in the Wikki Warm Spring. Thus, mapping locations of concealed heat sources offer concentration areas for follow-up geothermal exploration. Landsat-8 imagery was used to produce the land surface temperature (LST) map, which reveals surface temperature variation that ranges from 50 to 95 °C. In comparison, the radiogenic heat map of the region generated from the radiometric data of the study area shows radiogenic heat production rate, which ranged from less than 0.69 to above 3.91 µWm−3. The radiogenic heat and LST maps show similar features, indicating that Basement Complex terrain exhibits high radiogenic and surface temperature than the Benue Trough. Monte Carlo simulation reveals statistical values that suggest that the most likely radiogenic heat value is 1.95 µWm−3 around the warm spring, the highest possible (best case scenario) heat value is 2.23 µWm−3, and the least possible value (worst case scenario) is 1.69 µWm−3. The Basement Complex terrain northwest of the warm spring produced high radiogenic heat, generating values above 3.91 μWm−3. The outcome of this investigation is very important for explorationists to institute sustainable geothermal energy mitigation plans and produce a clean and renewable energy in Wikki Warm Spring.

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Data availability

The Landsat-8 OLI/TIRS used for this study is publicly accessible and can be downloaded from the US Geological Survey (USGS) website (https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/). The coordinates of the study area can be used to download the Landsat-8 data directly from the USGS website. However, the radiometric and aeromagnetic data are not publicly available, but can be acquired from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.

Abbreviations

U:

Uranium (ppm)

Th:

Thorium (ppm)

K:

Potassium (%)

ρ:

Density of rock (kg/m3)

x:

Easting (UTM)

y:

Northing (UTM)

BT:

Brightness temperature for top of atmosphere (Kelvin)

\({L}_{\lambda }\) :

Spectral radiance of top of atmospheric (Watts/(m2 * sr * µm))

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BS Geophysical and Consultancy Ltd, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Naheem Banji Salawu

  2. Department of Geophysics, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

    Naheem Banji Salawu, Akinola Bolaji Eluwole, Akindeji Opeyemi Fajana & Leke Sunday Adebiyi

  3. Department of Physics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Muyiwa Michael Orosun

  4. Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria

    Leke Sunday Adebiyi

  5. Department of Geography, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria

    Jibril Olarotimi Salawu

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  1. Naheem Banji Salawu
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  2. Akinola Bolaji Eluwole
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  3. Akindeji Opeyemi Fajana
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  4. Muyiwa Michael Orosun
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Correspondence to Naheem Banji Salawu.

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Salawu, N.B., Eluwole, A.B., Fajana, A.O. et al. New perspective on the geothermal potential of Wikki Warm Spring, Northeastern Nigeria, from remote sensing and radiometric data. Acta Geophys. 72, 1867–1878 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-023-01098-1

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