Geochemical investigation of gold and chalcophile minerals of Rawayau Area Katsina State, Nigeria

This present study investigated the Gold and Chalcophile mineralisation potentials of the Rawayau area in Northwestern Nigeria. The aim of the investigation is to delineate the likely Gold and Chalcophile mineralisation occurrences in the study area so as to aid further exploration studies that will identify Gold rich targets worth investing resources for detail exploration project before mining. To achieve this, 17 samples (7 rock samples and 10 sediments) were collected and subjected to laboratory analysis at the National Geologic Survey Agency (NGSA) in Kaduna. The geochemical study showed that the Au concentration ranged from below detection level (bdl) to 0.09ppm in the rock samples, while ranging from 0.013ppm to 0.137ppm in the sediments. Ag concentration ranged from 0.37ppm to 0.97ppm with in the rock samples, while ranging from 0.088ppm to 0.229ppm in the sediments, thus showing a higher concentration in both rock and sediments than Au. Significant positive relationship was observed between Ni, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and Co from the correlation analysis. It also revealed a subsurface increment of Gold and Chalcophile concentration of Nickel, Copper and Zinc with higher concentration of Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium and Lead in comparison to Gold and Silver. The study concludes that the Rawayau area holds much prospects for Gold and other minerals. It is suggested that further exploratory studies be carried out so as to pave way for the commencement of mining activities in the study area”

Provenance Studies of Alluvial Tin Deposits in Parts of Ropp Younger Granite Complex, North Central Nigeria

The study area in this research is within the Ropp Complex, part of the Nigerian Mesozoic Younger Granite province. The study aims to interpret the depositional environment and establish the provenance of the alluvial cassiterite deposits in the study area. Boreholes/mining pits were logged for this study, and stanniferous sandstone samples were collected, which were used for textural and mineralogical studies. The mineral assemblages documented in the samples include ilmenite (3% to 27%). Cassiterite (2 to 14%), Zircon (2 to 16%), magnetite (0 to 17%), tourmaline (5 to 11%), rutile (2 to 8%) and monazite (2 to 7%).The ZTR Index calculated from the result of heavy minerals analysis for the selected pieces is 59%. Mineralogical studies revealed that quartz is the most dominant detrital mineral averaging about 93-99%, indicating that the stanniferous sandstones are compositionally matured and have experienced a high degree of chemical weathering. The quartz grains have grain sizes ranging from coarse to very coarse. They are poorly sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded, with low sphericity. This also indicates a closeness to the source and textural immaturity. The occurrence of relatively very few feldspar grains suggests a slow sedimentation rate, very high rate of chemical weathering and composition maturity. The bivariate plots, univariate grain size parameters and probability plots, and the absence of fossils and trace fossils suggest deposition in a fluvial environment. The results of the granulometric analysis indicate that the study area's stanniferous sandstone was deposited in a fluvial environment by a low-energy fluvial (river) depositional system and the deposition in proximal (close to the source). This study suggests that the Basement complex and Younger Granite are the sources of the stanniferous placer deposits

AN EVALUATION OF RIVER SAKI-JIKI STREAM WATER QUALITY IN BATSARI KATSINA STATE NIGERIA

Environmental hydrogeo-chemistry is unique in focusing directly on the presence of dissolved salts and other contaminants observed in the surface and ground water sources, resulting in intriguing fall in the productivity of public health issues related to environment. This is mostly brought by Intensive human and agricultural activity. Trace elements, normally present in minute quantities in the stream water are a major influence on health. Chemical data itself can be used to obtain information about geological processes. Spectro-photometric methods and procedures for the evaluation of water samples were use to obtain values of concentrations of a selected number of alkaline elements and their compounds, in addition to other water condition indicators. These were sampled and evaluated. The result of the research shows that, all the parameters tested show variations when compared with the control site, but the concentration is not severe to the level it makes the water not suitable for either domestic or agricultural use. The study therefore, recommended for frequent monitoring of the soil, sand, water conditions in order to detect early signs of hazards

Heavy metals pollution indexing, geospatial and statistical approaches of groundwater within Challawa and Sharada industrial areas, Kano City, North-Western Nigeria

Abstract The present study focused on pollution status of groundwater in the industrial areas of Challawa and Sharada in Kano city based on pollution indices, statistical and spatial analyses. Twenty groundwater samples representing groundwater of the studied areas (Ten from each area) were analyzed for the presence of Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The result showed 95%, 5%, 60%, 15% and 25% of the analyzed water samples had detectable Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Mn above the drinking water limits of both Nigerian standards for drinking water quality NSDWQ and World Health Organization (WHO) with Cd dominating other analyzed heavy metals in the groundwater. Evaluation of heavy metal pollution revealed a low polluted status based on the contaminant index (Cd), synthetic pollution index, heavy metals evaluation index, and heavy metal pollution index. Metal index categorized the groundwater as seriously polluted. The statistical evaluation gave strong and positive correlations between indices and a moderate one between the metallic ions. Component analysis revealed a strongly positive loading of Fe, Ni and Zn while Cd had a strong negative loading. Cr and Mn were positive and moderately loaded. Statistical analyses suggested both anthropogenic and geogenic sources for the heavy metals mainly from the industrial and agricultural practices and rock weathering processes, respectively. This study is expected to be a useful tool in the planning, monitoring and mitigation of pollution activities in the area. Article Highlights The pollution status of groundwater with respect to heavy metals was investigated in the Challawa and Sharada industrials zones in Kano city Nigeria The concentration of Cd, Fe, Ni, Cr Mn and Zn was determined using the AAS Different Pollution indices of HPI, HEI, SPI, Cd and MI were utilized to categorized the area as low, medium and highly polluted. Spatial and temporal distribution maps demarcated based on the metal concentrations and computed indices in the area. CA, PCA, and HCA were used to identified the geochemistry, relationship, sources and origin of heavy metals in groundwater. The study revealed zones with low to high-risk groundwater in terms of toxic heavy metals and pollution status