Application of integrated geophysical methods in environmental studies: A case study of oil spillage in Thange Area Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

This research was conducted with the aim of mapping the extent of soil and ground water hydrocarbon contamination from an oil pipeline leak point within the area. An integrated geophysical survey approach involving horizontal electrical profiling (HEP), vertical electrical sounding (VES) and Gravity Survey was applied. Resistivity and gravity lows were identified as aquifer zones confined within basalts and potential migration zones of Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL’s). An integration of the geophysical findings showed two potential migration paths: one trending (SW-NE) and the other (NE-SW) both influenced by geologic factors. Key words: Resistivity, horizontal electrical profiling (HEP), vertical electrical sounding (VES), hydrocarbons, gravity, light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL’s).