Near-surface geophysical characterization of gully erosion hazard-prone area in Calabar, southern Nigeria

The electrical resistivity, i.e. electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and direct current-resistivity sounding (DC-ERS), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods were deployed to assess a gully erosion site in Bacoco area of Calabar, Nigeria. The study aims to assess the mechanism and dynamics of the gully erosion conditions in the area based on shallow lithostrati-graphic evaluations. The results revealed good contrast in the operative properties (i.e. electrical resistivity and dielectric permittivity) between competent and weak zones along the profiles close to the gully head. The joint interpretations provided reliable shallow subsurface models and lithologies that consist predominantly of lateritic top cover and sands. However, the ERT model delineates the contrast between lithologies and demarcates the weak zones from the relatively competent zones, in contrast to the responses generated by the GPR technique. This joint interpretation approach minimizes the uncertainty due to the non-uniqueness problems common to the geophysical technique. Also, the geophysical interpretations were constrained using lithologic information from the gully walls and one-dimensional (1-D) DC-ERS inverted model to provide additional validity. Our findings suggest the influence of structural control on gully formation and demonstrate its contribution to the complex interactions with other drivers, such as seepages through porous media and high-energy runoff due to intense rainfall. The rapid, non-invasive and environmentally friendly characteristics of ERT and GPR techniques favour their applicability in assessing shallow subsurface environmental problems.