(Ilorin Journal of Science, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2024) Bolaji M, Adekeye O. A., Jimoh A. Y. and Nasiru A.
The shales from the Araromi Formation penetrated by the Erekiti borehole in the Dahomey basin were analyzed
for their source area and paleo weathering conditions. Ten (10) samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence
(XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The major oxide revealed an abundance of SiO2 and Al2O3 (average
32.81 wt.% and 13.11 wt.% respectively) and depletion of TiO2, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, and MnO, while the trace
elements present includes an abundance of V, Cr, Zr, Sr, Zn, Ba and depletion of Sc, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Rb, Sr, Y,
Nb, Mo, Pb, Th, and U. The results shows that the shales are associated to intermediate to felsic igneous origin
under a very low weathering intensity. The mineralogical composition reveals quartz, gypsum, and calcite as the
most abundant and the presence of other accessory minerals such as Kaolinite, K-feldspar, and plagioclase. The
high percentage of quartz and gypsum confirmed the low weathering condition