The main goals of this project were to develop a pool of low-cost, open-source geophysical instruments; obtain critical hydrogeophysical data for improving understanding of the Godomey Aquifer system; distribute knowledge and instrumentation across a large regional network of hydrogeophysicists; and help launch a newly proposed CSM Humanitarian Engineering and Science: Geophysics Masters degree program.
The project team used DC Resistivity – CSM-developed system for Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) in Wenner array geometries, DC Resistivity – Sting R1 system used in the same way as Seismic reflection – up to 48-channel Geometrics Geode system with 14 Hz geophones and 5 m takeout cables. A sledgehammer striking a seismic plate was used as the seismic source. Teams of Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC) and CSM students built instruments and conducted geophysical surveys with both the low-cost and comparable commercial equipment in a field-camp investigation of the Ouédo Pumping Area site, which supplies water to Cotonou and several nearby cities.
Project Partners
- Colorado School of Mines (CSM)
- Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC) in Cotonou, Benin
UNSDGs addressed
SDG 4 (Quality Education) SDG6, (Clean water and sanitation for all)
