Assessment of geothermal renewable energy potential of chad basin using aeroradiometric and remote sensin techniques

Abstract

Geothermal energy is an increasingly attractive renewable energy source, especially for regions facing high energy demand and climate change challenges. This study assesses the geothermal potential of the Chad Basin, northeast Nigeria, by integrating Aeroradiometric and remote sensing techniques. Aeroradiometric datasets, including uranium, thorium, potassium (K⁴⁰), and total count radiations, were analysed to quantify radiogenic heat production (RHP), while remote sensing techniques were employed to map lineaments, hydrothermal alteration, land surface temperature (LST), and emissivity. The results show a distinct northwest–southeast trend in radioelement distribution, with uranium, thorium, and potassium (K⁴⁰) enrichment concentrated in the southeastern corridor, where RHP reaches up to 53.1 µW/m³. Remote sensing further revealed structurally controlled thermal anomalies in Mafa, Ajiri, and Asula Fura, correlating with zones of hydrothermal alteration and high LST. Comparison with previous geothermal studies, including bottom-hole temperature (BHT) gradients (~37.5 °C/km) and Curie point depths (18–25 km), confirms the southeastern Chad Basin as the most prospective geothermal target. This integrated approach demonstrates that geothermal potential in the basin is controlled by both radiogenic enrichment and tectonic structures, offering a robust framework for renewable energy exploration in underexplored frontier basins.