GEOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENTS OF STREAM SEDIMENTS OF EJUKU AREA
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Date
2016
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Publisher
NSUK Journal of Science & Technology, Nasarawa State University
Abstract
Geological and Geochemical assessments of Ejuku area, North-Central, Nigeria, was carried out with the aim of identifying the mineralization potential as well as delineating mineralized zones in the area. The geological investigation revealed that the area is underlain by porphyritic granite, medium-coarse granite, granitic and banded gneisses, amphibolite, quartzite and mica schist. Twenty five representative stream sediment samples were digested in aqua regia solution and analyzed by ICP-MS method for trace and rare earth elemental concentrations. The analysis of the stream sediment samples, revealed the following range of concentration for each element: Fe (0.59-4.97%), Mn (60-1273 ppm), Ce (19.3-608 ppm), La (2.5-307.5 ppm), Ba (8.5-149.8 ppm), Cr (9.0-125.2 ppm), V (3-121 ppm), Cu (6.78-40.10 ppm), Pb (2.18-30.19 ppm), Zn (3.7-44.0), Ag (2-24ppb), Ni (2.9-13.6 ppm), Co (0.9-18.6 ppm), U(0.57-11.18 ppm), Th (3.0-76.5 ppm), Rb (5.7-46.9 ppm), Au (0.2-0.9 ppb), Y (0.81-27.79 ppm) and Li (1.2-17.2 ppm). The correlation coefficient for the selected elements show very strong correlation between Pb, Co, Fe, Ba and Mn as well as between Th, La, Rb, Ce, Zn and Y. The isograde plots show that most elements have their peaks in the western and northeastern part of the study area. The study therefore revealed that the area is rich in manganese, iron, K-feldspar and mica which are hosted, possibly, by schist and amphibolites.
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Keywords
Mineralization, Geochemical, Stream sediments, correlation, Isograde, Ejuku