Evaluation of Curie-point depths, geothermal gradients and near-surface heat flow from high-resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) data of the entire Sokoto Basin, Nigeria

Geothermal studies were conducted within the framework of Lithoprobe to systematically document variations of heat flow and surface heat production in the major geological provinces of the Canadian Shield. One of the main conclusions is that in the Shield the variations in surface heat flow are dominated by the crustal heat generation. Horizontal variations in mantle heat flow are too small to be resolved by heat flow measurements. Different methods constrain the mantle heat flow to be in the range of 12–18 mW·m–2. Most of the heat flow anomalies (high and low) are due to variations in crustal composition and structure. The vertical distribution of radioelements is characterized by a differentiation index (DI) that measures the ratio of the surface to the average crustal heat generation in a province. Determination of mantle temperatures requires the knowledge of both the surface heat flow and DI. Mantle temperatures increase with an increase in surface heat flow but decrease with an increase in DI. Stabilization of the crust is achieved by crustal differentiation that results in decreasing temperatures in the lower crust. Present mantle temperatures inferred from xenolith studies and variations in mantle seismic P-wave velocity (Pn) from seismic refraction surveys are consistent with geotherms calculated from heat flow. These results emphasize that deep lithospheric temperatures do not always increase with an increase in the surface heat flow. The dense data coverage that has been achieved in the Canadian Shield allows some discrimination between temperature and composition effects on seismic velocities in the lithospheric mantle.

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Evaluation of geothermal energy resources in parts of southeastern sedimentary basin, Nigeria

Ife Journal of Science ◽

10.4314/ijs.v23i1.17 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 195-211

Author(s):

I.M. Okiyi ◽

S.I. Ibeneme ◽

E.Y. Obiora ◽

S.O. Onyekuru ◽

A.I. Selemo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spectral Analysis ◽

Heat Flow ◽

Curie Point ◽

Geothermal Energy ◽

Sedimentary Basin ◽

Geothermal Gradient ◽

Geothermal System ◽

Magnetic Vector ◽

Geothermal Gradients ◽

Vector Inversion

Residual aeromagnetic data of parts of Southeastern Nigerian sedimentary basin were reduced to the equator and subjected to magnetic vector inversion and spectral analysis. Average depths of source ensembles from spectral analysis were used to compute depth to magnetic tops (Z), base of the magnetic layer (Curie Point t Depth (CPD)), and estimate geothermal gradient and heat flow required for the evaluation of the geothermal resources of the study area. Results from spectral analysis showed depths to the top of the magnetic source ranging between 0.45 km and 1.90 km; centroid depths of 4 km - 7.87 km and CPD of between 6.15 km and 14.19 km. The CPD were used to estimate geothermal gradients which ranged from 20.3°C/km to 50.0°C/km 2 2 and corresponding heat flow values of 34.9 mW/m to 105 mW/m , utilizing an average thermal conductivity -1 -1 of 2.15 Wm k . Ezzagu (Ogboji), Amanator-Isu, Azuinyaba, Nkalagu, Amagunze, Nta-Nselle, Nnam, Akorfornor environs are situated within regions of high geothermal gradients (>38°C/Km) with models delineated beneath these regions using 3D Magnetic Vector Inversion, having dominant NW-SE and NE-SW trends at shallow and greater depths of <1km to >7 km bsl. Based on VES and 2D imaging models the geothermal system in Alok can be classified as Hot Dry Rock (HDR) type, which may likely have emanated from fracture systems. There is prospect for the development of geothermal energy in the study area. Keywords: Airborne Magnetics, Magnetic Vector Inversion, Geothermal Gradient, Heat Flow, Curie Point Depth, Geothermal Energy.

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