MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF SANDSTONE IN IMOBI STUDY AREA AND ITS ENVIRONS, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

The combination of mineralogical and geochemical data of sedimentary rock can reveal the nature of source rocks, the tectonic settings of the sedimentary basins and the Paleoclimatic conditions. The aim of this research is to determine the geochemistry and mineralogy of the Imobi sandstones and to infer the provenance and possible depositional environment for these sand stones. Eight rock samples were collected from the study area, some portion were used for geochemical analysis to determine the chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence and the remaining portion were also used for mineralogical analysis to determine the mineralogical compositions and to estimate the modal percentages of minerals in the Imobi sandstone samples with the aid of the Petrological microscope. From the geochemical analysis, sixteen (16) elements and oxides were revealed and they includes SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, V2O5, ZrO2, SO3, K2O, Br, P2O5, CuO, TiO2, MnO, Rb2O, As2O3, Cr2O3, while the mineralogical study show the presence of three minerals along with accessory minerals, they include quartz, iron oxide, microcline and accessory minerals. The presence of element and oxides like Br, V2O5, ZrO2, CuO, Rb2O, As2O3 and MnO (especially Br which occurred in a recognizable quantity of about 12%-27%) suggests the depositional environment of the Imobi sandstone to be a shallow marine or near marine environments.  However the abundance Of Fe2O3 infers the derivation of the sediments from a metamorphic source. The Petrography study reveals the presence of microcline, a feldspathic mineral commonly found in metamorphic rocks, and is consistent with the inference made from the geochemical composition that the provenance of these sandstones is from a metamorphic origin Key words: Geochemical, Sandstone, Aluminum, Bromine, Marine, Quartz, Provenance

Geochemical Appraisal of Termite-Reworked Clay Soils from Basement Complex Terrain: Implications as Landfill Liners

The geochemical and mineralogical assessment was prompted by the considerable presence of Termitaria overburden on the Basement Complex outcrops in southwest Nigeria with the goal of determining their suitability as landfill liners. The X-Ray Fluorescene (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction techniques were used to examine ten soil samples. Major oxides and mineralogical values were analysed to determine the effectiveness of soil engineering. Weathering indices and silica/sesquioxide ratios were also measured. The results of the mineralogical investigation showed that kaolinite clay mineral predominated, which is indicative of non-swelling qualities. The outcomes demonstrated that the soil is a true laterite as well as a lateritic soil. Fair carrying capacity was shown by the stability and shear resistance values of 47.15% and 48.11%, respectively. The weathering indices show severe weathering, high clay fraction, strong plasticity, and low hydraulic conductivity with an average of 95% and 0.59 weight percent, respectively. Additionally, the repackaging of the clay soils by termite activity produced greater interlocking and water film resistance. These characteristics make soils an excellent material for landfill liners due to their improved density and bearing capacity, resilience to chemical attack, and reconstructed structure. Keywords: Landfill liners. Termitaria, Kaolinite, Mineralogy and Geochemical Properties DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-8-03 Publication date:October 31st 202