Abstract
At the edge of a semi-arid sedimentary basin, the Piedmont plain of the Mandara mountains is potentially a key area for the recharge of the Lake Chad Quaternary aquifer. We conducted two geophysical surveys based on magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) and Time-Domain Electromagnetism (TDEM) techniques for a better understanding of the aquifer structure at the piedmont scale in aim to identify preferential groundwater recharge pathways. MRS water content and electrical resistivity of the medium confirmed the very heterogeneous and clayey nature of the quaternary aquifer, limiting the recharge to the sandiest areas. Thanks to the geophysical methods, these areas have been highlighted near temporary rivers and upstream of the study area near Maroua city. Because of the thickening of the aquifer downstream, the most transmissive zones are in the mid-slope of the piedmont. The geographical distribution of aquifer properties defined by geophysics and the range of MRS water content (from <2% to 26%) may be used in the future to constrain groundwater modelling and specify the recharge of the quaternary aquifer at mountain front.