Department of Geology and Mineral Science

Permanent URI for this community

https://kwasuspace.kwasu.edu.ng/handle/123456789/189

Browse

Browsing Department of Geology and Mineral Science by Title

Now showing 1 - 20 of 46
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Aeromagnetic and Resistivity Tomography Technique for Investigating Leakage Paths in Apodu Dam, Ilorin Sheet 201, Southwestern Nigeria
    (THE NEXUS: A Publication of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria (Science Edition), 2021-12-31) Olawumi, H.B., Olatunji, S., Jimoh, A. and Abubakar, H. O.
    The aeromagnetic and electrical resistivity tomography technique was used to evaluate the foundation conditions and stability of the Apodu earth dam located around Malete, Ilorin Sheet 201, Southwestern Nigeria. The Aeromagnetic data set was interpreted to identify dykes, lineaments, and magnetic sources controlling subsurface geology. The extracted lineament structures were employed to examine features controlling the distribution of surface and subsurface hydraulic substances cum stability of dam slope. Magnetic lineaments' length and parallelism in some areas suggested installation under a tensional stress field along pre-existing zones of weakness.Magnetic susceptibilities are not uniform in the area and were categorized viz: high, moderate, and low. The magnetic intensity range at Apodu dam is -644.19 to 285.40 nT. The northeastern part of the study area where the Apodu dam is located shows little or no sign of faulting and appears to be more stable structurally. Characterization of the Apodu dam subsurface for seepage appraisal using electrical resistivity tomography technique revealed that the dam is well compacted at the surface but with observed low resistivity values indicative of possible occurrences of weakness zones that are water-bearing in some areas of the dam embarkment body at depths of around 8m and 25m. These observed low resistivity zones indicating a water-bearing weakness zone were connected in RTM1 and RTM2, and a possible water pathway was established. This water pathway is indicative of a possible seepage pathway and adequate measures are expected to be made to arrest the situation. In conclusion, Apodu dam is situated in a geologically stable environment as deduced from the aeromagnetic study but its earth embarkment is suspected to possess areas with possible seepages zones as obtained from the electrical resistivity techniques of investigations. There is therefore a need to quickly remedy the dam earth embankment to ensure the longevity of the dam and avert possible failure.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An Appraisal of the Barite Resources of Cross River State, Southeastern Nigeria: Origin, Distribution and Economic Potentials
    (International Journal of Current Research, 2017-06) Ajadi Jimoh and Ajenipa Rasaq Adeleke
    The occurrence of barite mineralization in both the sedimentary and basement rocks in Cross River State shows a genetic linkage in relations to source of the metal for fluids that drain the basements. This agrees with current opinion based on isotopic and fluid inclusion data obtained by previous workers who on the basis of observed strontium data, Pb isotope composition of galena and rare earth element patterns in fluorite suggested that the basement rocks in the Benue trough or their weathered equivalents are likely sources of metal for mineralizing fluids in the Benue trough. The gentle dip of the basement rocks are believed to have generated slow migration of the fluids, a condition that is necessary to prevent quick flushing thereby allowing adequate time for enough leaching of barium from the basement rocks to form the barite deposits. The NE-SW trend of the barite veins, the identified sinistral faults as well as the fact that the barites that are associated with wall rock alteration usually display well developed crystal habits are suggestive that the barite mineralization is structurally controlled. Ore fluid formation from juvenile and circulating connate brines have been proposed for the formation of the barite deposits in Cross River State and indeed in Nigeria.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An Appraisal of the Geologic Setting in the Basement Complex Terrain Around Malete, Southwestern Nigeria: Implications on Groundwater Occurrence
    (FUOYE Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018-12-03) Ajadi Jimoh, Adeyemi Sultan Faruq, Olasunkanmi K. Nurudeen, Babalola Olufemi
    In an attempt to update the geologic setting and investigate groundwater resources of Malete in Moro Local Government area of Kwara State, reconnaissance geological mapping and electrical resistivity geophysical field mapping were carried out. The lateral lithologic geometry and geologic features were established on the outcrops while the vertical extents were interpreted from resistivity sounding that involved Schlumberger electrode configuration. The lithologic units formally reported by Nigeria Geological Survey Agency as comprising migmatitic gneiss and porphyritic granite, were updated as including massive and foliated quartzites, porphyroblastic gneiss, biotite granite and other minor intrusives viz; pegmatites, aplites, and vein quartz. The granitic rocks discordantly intrude the migmatites and quartzites and mostly appear to have been caught up by tectonism at the waning stage of the Pan African orogeny as evident from the observed tectonic imprints not Nigerian older granite suites. Occurrences of intermittent pelitic bands observed to be alternating with large blocks of massive quartzitic layers suggest a sedimentary precursor for the quartzite bodies in the area. The resistivity variation ranged between 13.6 and 7740.4 Ωm and four-layer earth model which comprised sand lateritic topsoil, clayey sand, weathered basement and fresh/fractured basement were identified. The models revealed KH, HK, HA and AK types apparent resistivity curves with overburden thickness range between 0.2 and 9.6 m. The HK-type with geoelectric sequence of resistive–conductive–resistive–conductive, within quartzitic layer and thick overburden exhibit good aquifer characteristic and depict probable point for groundwater in the area.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Application of Euler and Werner deconvolution techniques in delineating tin deposit in Okeso area, Southwestern, Nigeria
    (Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 2024) I. O. Folorunso , Y. Magaji,∗ , Jimoh Ajadi , Issa Umar
    The Okeso pegmatites field was evaluated using magnetic method within abandoned mining site close to the southeastern region of Ojoku area. The study aims to delineate, identify geological boundaries and determine depth of tin deposits in the area. The acquired magnetic data was enhanced with the combination of 3D Euler and Werner deconvolution methods. Five magnetic profiles were selected and carried out on the residual anomalies around the abandoned mine site at Okeso with three of the profile lines were in the NW-SE direction and two in the NE-SW direction. The residual magnetic anomalies showed the magnetic susceptibilities of ≤ 4.5118 × 10−3 nT in the ore bearing pegmatite within the basement rocks. Results from profiles of Werner deconvolution identified some shallow tectonic structures like fractures, pegmatites and faults which are capable of hosting metallic tin deposits. The depth to the magnetic source varies from a minimum to a maximum of 300 m to 1200 m below the subsurface in all selected profiles, suggesting the shallow nature of the magnetic source in the area. Additionally, the dip angle ranges from 5.60 to 81.20, potentially attributed to Pan-African shallow structures according to the contact model. Solutions obtained from the structural index of contact and dyke reveals the presence of dyke formation and boundaries which separate rocks from one another. The trend of the lineaments/ fractures which were likely established during the Pan-African orogeny is dominant in the NE-SW direction, conforms with the trends obtained for basement structures in previous studies. Depth range produced by 3D Euler deconvolution is from 50 - 1000 m for all the lineaments. This gives an insight of approximate depth range of all the lineaments/ fractures across the whole map in the study area unlike, Werner deconvolution which is profile biased. The identical signature from all profiles implies that the tin deposit is relatively uniform, extending to a great depth in the area. This represents economically viable quantity and makes it a worthy target for investors.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Biostratigraphy and Palaeoecological Studies of the Late Cretaceous-Tertiary Sediments in the Dahomey Basin, Nigeria
    (European Journal of Environment and Earth Sciences, 2022-07-25) Mariam B. Saadu, Ayoola Y. Jimoh, Olabisi A. Adekeye, and Taofeeq A. Issa
    The Maastrichtian–Eocene sediments (mainly shales and limestones) penetrated by the Itori borehole and Ilaro boreholes in the Dahomey Basin were investigated for foraminiferal biostratigraphy and palaeoecological interpretation. These boreholes penetrated Araromi, Ewekoro, and Oshosun formations at varying depths. Selected shale sediments were subjected to foraminiferal analysis and many planktonic and benthic species of foraminifera (agglutinated and calcareous) were recovered from the Cretaceous interval of the penetrated boreholes. Twelve species of planktic foraminifera (Globalomalina planocompressa, G. pseudomenardii, Globigerina inaequispira, Acarinina cf.coalingenis, Acarinina nitida, Chiloguembelina cretacea, chiloguembelina subtriangularis, Orthokasrstenia sp., Hedbergella holmdelensis, Globigerina sp., Globigerinelloids asperus, Morozovella formosa formosa) and thirteen species of benthic i.e Bolivina sp., B. Crassicostata, , E. africana, Eponides psuedoelevatus, Gavelinella cf. guineana, Gavelinella pachysuturalis, Haplophragmiodes sp., Lenticulina cyprina, L. inornata, L. olokuni, L. psuedomamilligera, L. taylorensis, Nonionella communis, N. spissa, N. panamensis, Orthokarstenia sp., Planulina oyae) were identified. In general, benthic species of infauna deposit feeder and epifauna dominate the population. These species occupy a range of environments from dyoxic to anoxic, brackish water to marsh environment down to upper bathyal depth. Based on the abundant and stratigraphical distribution of the foraminiferal species, four biostratigraphic zones were recognized: Afrobolivina afra zone of late Maastrichtian, Globigerina zone of early Paleocene, Globalomalina pseudomenardii zone of late Paleocene and Morozovella formosa formosa zone of the early Eocene.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Characterisation of soils derived from different parent rocks from north central Nigeria
    (2018)
    Mineralogy and geotechnical properties of residual lateritic soils derived from sandstone and migmatite–gneiss (MG) were compared. The aim was to determine the influence of the parent rock geology of sandstone and MG on their engineering properties. This was done using the statistical method of Student’s t-test. Thin sections show that the MG samples are rich in feldspars and micas with up to 45 and 23% modal estimates, respectively. The dominant clay mineral in the two soils was kaolinite, while the dominant oxides were silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and ferric oxide. The silica/sesquioxide ratio of the MG-derived soils (MGS) ranged from 1·7 to 3·2 while those of sandstonederived soils (SS) were 2·9–6·6. SS samples which contained essentially quartz grains exhibited better compaction characteristics, higher California bearing ratio and lower plasticity than MGS. Better engineering properties exhibited by SS can be attributed to the high quartz content present in the parent rock. Feldspars and micas present in MG are weathered into plastic and hydrophilic clay minerals. These are likely to have a negative impact on the engineering properties of the derived soils. Statistical treatment of all determined engineering parameters showed significant differences in all cases except in relation to specific gravity, permeability and compressibility.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Characterisation of soils derived from different parent rocks from north central Nigeria
    (2018)
    Mineralogy and geotechnical properties of residual lateritic soils derived from sandstone and migmatite–gneiss (MG) were compared. The aim was to determine the influence of the parent rock geology of sandstone and MG on their engineering properties. This was done using the statistical method of Student’s t-test. Thin sections show that the MG samples are rich in feldspars and micas with up to 45 and 23% modal estimates, respectively. The dominant clay mineral in the two soils was kaolinite, while the dominant oxides were silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and ferric oxide. The silica/sesquioxide ratio of the MG-derived soils (MGS) ranged from 1·7 to 3·2 while those of sandstone￾derived soils (SS) were 2·9–6·6. SS samples which contained essentially quartz grains exhibited better compaction characteristics, higher California bearing ratio and lower plasticity than MGS. Better engineering properties exhibited by SS can be attributed to the high quartz content present in the parent rock. Feldspars and micas present in MG are weathered into plastic and hydrophilic clay minerals. These are likely to have a negative impact on the engineering properties of the derived soils. Statistical treatment of all determined engineering parameters showed significant differences in all cases except in relation to specific gravity, permeability and compressibility
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Efect of cyclic heating on some engineering characteristics of some soils from Ilorin, Nigeria
    (2020)
    This work investigates probable changes during repeated heating and cooling cycles on some index and engineering properties of some lateritic soils. Bulk soil samples were taken within Ilorin metropolis. These samples were oven dried for 24 h at 110 oC and cooled naturally to room temperature. This procedure was repeated four times. The effect of cyclic heating and cooling on various soil properties including Atterberg limits, particle size distribution, moisture— density relationship and California bearing ratio (CBR) were investigated. The results show that maximum dry density (MDD) reduced consistently with repeated heating and cooling while optimum moisture content (OMC) increased. CBR increased with repeated heating and cooling up to 23.5%. A percentage decrease in liquid limit up to 25% was recorded while plastic limit and plasticity index reduced in all samples. Increase in CBR is an indication of increase in strength with repeated heating while the decrease in MDD is an indication of reduced density on account of increase in OMC of the soil samples with repeated heating.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of Pre-Test Drying Temperature on the Properties of Lateritic Soils
    (2023)
    The quality of the aggregates used inplastering mortar contributes to the properties of the mortar. This study evaluated the suitability of two grades of sand – sharp sand collected along active/old river courses and plastering sand collected from borrow pits – as plastering materials. X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis were used to study their mineralogy and major, minor and trace element components. Grain-size distribution analysis, natural moisture content, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, matric suction and permeability tests were also carried out on the sand samples. In both sands, the silica content was more than 80%. The plastering sand had a higher natural moisture content than the sharp sand. The fineness modulus ranged from 1.31 to 1.83 and 0.53 to 1.01, respectively, for the sharp sand and the plastering sand. The permeability coefficients and matric suction of the sharp sand were larger than those of the plastering sand. This implies that sharp sand will allow easier water passage through its pore spaces, therefore tending to exist in a dryer state than plastering sand. The tested sharp sand may be suitable for plastering because the test results w
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of Salty Solutions on the Slake Durability of Some Granitic Rocks
    (2022)
    Abstract The degradability of rocks is one of the notable factors in any engineering structure or construction relevant to the environment, mining, civil or geological works. Rocks or rock aggregates are vulnerability to salt weathering or crystallization when exposed to different conditions. Salt weathering can come from different sources such as seawater or groundwater, air pollutants, or mortars. This study assesses the effect of wetting - drying cycles and salty solutions on slake durability of some granitic rocks (fine-grained granite and porphyritic granite). Slake durability test using two salty solutions of different concentrations was conducted according to the standard ASTM procedure in the aqueous solutions (slaking fluids) with dissolved electrolytes of Na SO and CaCl . The slake durability of the 2 4 2 rocks was evaluated up to eight cycles in the salty solutions with different concentration of 25, 50, and 75% by weight. Results show the granitic rocks are not significantly different from each other petrologically in terms of observed mineral components. The average water content, porosity, and water absorption of the porphyritic granite is higher compared to those of fine-grained granite. Percentage mass loss of the rocks increased with the number of slaking cycles and the rate of mass loss is higher at the initial cycles than the final cycles of the slake durability test. The mass loss was higher in porphyritic granite samples both in Na SO and CaCl aqueous solutions. The slake durability index 2 4 2 of the rocks range from very high to extremely high under the influence of salty solutions. Increase in number of slaking cycles and concentration of the solutions decreased the slake durability indices of the rocks. The porphyritic granite samples have lower slake durability index in all the slaking cycles and both in Na SO and CaCl solutions. The 2 4 2 slake durability index of the fine-grained granite in Na SO is lower than in CaCl in all the slaking cycles except in 2 4 2 few cases. In contrast, the slake durability index of the porphyritic granite in CaCl at 50% and 75% concentration was 2 lower than in Na SO solution. It is concluded that the porphyritic granite with low strength, high water absorption 2 4 capacity and porosity is more liable to degradation in salty solution compared with fine-grained granite.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Environmental Risk of Cement Production in Obajana, North Central Nigeria
    (Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, 2022-03-13) Ibrahim, K.O, Yusuf, M.A., Soliu, A.A. and Issa, U.
    Persistent pollutant from industrial charges produce toxic metals that can become injurious to human health in an industrial area and therefore there is necessary for environmental monitoring in such area. This study was carried out with the aim of determining the environmental risk of cement production in Obajana, North central Nigeria. The study area lies within longitude 6024'E to 6027'E 7054' to 7056'N. A random sampling method was used in field exercise. Twenty(20) groundwater, soil and plant samples were taken and analyzed for heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, cr, Pb, Ni) using atomic absorption spetrophotometry. Heavy metals in groundwater such as Pb, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu and Fe showed (0.09mg/l, 0.02mg/l, 0.01mg/l,0.01mg/l,0.13mg/l, 0.02mg/l and 0.09mg/l) concentrations respectively. Environmental pollution indices were used to ascertain the extent and source of pollution in groundwater, soil and plant in the area. Metal pollution Index (MPI) showed that the groundwater is very lightly polluted, lightly polluted, moderately polluted but highly polluted with respect to lead that is emmited from the power plant in the factory while contamination factor (CF) and index of geo-accumulation(Igeo) showed that the soil and plant in the area are unpolluted. Continuous monitoring of groundwater, soil and plant in the area is recommended.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER LEVEL TIME-DEPENDENT VARIATION AND AQUIFER CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN SHEET 223, ILORIN NORTH WEST, SOUT
    (COOU Journal of Physical Sciences, 2022) Ajadi, J.; Issa,U.; Olatunji, S.
    The assessment of groundwater level time-dependent variation and aquifer characteristics has been carried out, aimed at knowing the variation in groundwater elevation at the end of the rainy season and at the peak of the dry season. The time-dependent variation was done by direct in situ groundwater level measurement from eighty existing wells. Aquifer characteristics were determined by using pumping test data of the available boreholes in the area, using modified Jacob’s method. Configuration of groundwater level contours shows that the highest groundwater elevation in the area is 445 m and the lowest is 295 m above sea level. Also, areas with water levels ranging between 1 and 2 m are areas of low water level while areas with water levels ranging between 9.5 m and 11 m are areas of high water level. Transmissivity is estimated to range between 3.49 and 8.50 m 2 /day with an average value of 5.61 m2 /day, Hydraulic conductivity range between 2.18 × 10-1 and 7.64× 10-2 m /day with an average value of 1.65 × 10-1 m /day and Storativity range from 3.45 to 9.15 with an average value of 5.04. Areas with the shallow water level, depicting high potential, are in the southern part while the northern part is an area of low groundwater potential. The average value for Storativity is higher than the assigned limit (0.005-0.00005) for most confined aquifers, indicating that the storage potential of the boreholes is high; hence their recharge potential is high
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Geochemical and Palynological Studies of Some Maastrichtian Source Rock Intervals (Patti and Gombe Formations) in Nigeria: Implications for Hydrocarbon Prospectivity
    (American Association of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG), 2019-01-14) Olusola J. Ojo, Ayoola Y. Jimoh, and Juliet C. Umelo
    The Maastrichtian Patti and Gombe Formations are located in Bida and Gongola Basins respectively. These two inland basins form part of the targets currently being tested for hydrocarbon prospectivity in Nigeria. Road cuttings and core samples of coal, coaly shale, and shale from the formations were analyzed using standard organic geochemical and palynological techniques to unravel their organic matter quantity, quality, palynofacies, expulsion efficiency, and thermal history. The age of the sediments were also constrained from the palynological data. Palynological data suggest a Maastrichtian age and influence of freshwater swamps for the sediments based on the microfloral assemblage like Retidiporites magdalenensis, Echitriporites trianguliformis, Buttinia andreevi, and Botrycoccus braunii. The organic geochemical results show relatively high TOC for the Patti shales (0.79-12.9 wt.%) and Gombe coals (38.8-61.2 wt.%) implying moderate to high concentrations of organic matter. Hydrocarbon source potential range from 0.19-0.70 mgHC/g rock except for a certain interval with high yield (30.23 mgHC/g rock) in the Patti shales. The Gombe coals have source potential ranging from 32.77-69.38 mgHC/g rock. Generally, the samples show low HI except one of the Patti shale samples with HI of 230 mgHC/g TOC (thought to be formed under reducing condition) and one of the Gombe coal samples with HI of 170 mgHC/g TOC. In spite of the favorable organic parameters, the thermal maturity is low with vitrinite reflectance and Tmax ranging between 0.41-0.52 % and 413-431 °C respectively. Biomarker analysis of the hydrocarbon extracts show abundance of odd number alkanes C27-C33, low sterane/hopane ratio (0.06-0.25). Pr/Ph in the samples are greater than 2. We conclude from the study that the Maastrichtian source rocks were sourced terrestrially under a prevailing oxic condition and dominated by Type III organic matter. Type II organic matter with oil and gas potential may be possible in the Patti Formation in the Agbaja area of Bida Basin. Thermal maturity and conversion ratio were low and not much hydrocarbon could have been generated from the source rocks.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Geochemical Fingerprints; Implication for Provenance, Tectonic and Depositional Settings of Lower Benue Trough Sequence, Southeastern Nigeria
    (The International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE), 2013) Olubunmi C. Adeigbe, Yusuf A. Jimoh
    The study areas, Asu River Group (ARG) and Cross River Groups (CRG) belong to Lower Benue Trough. The Trough is thought to have been deposited by marine transgression and regression. ARG covers Awi, Abakaliki and Mfamosing Formations while Ekenkpon, Eze-Aku, New Netim, Awgu and Agbani Formations fall within CRG. Sampling was done to cover both the Abakaliki Anticlinorium and Calabar Flank. The study aimed at using geochemical approach to deduce weathering, provenance, tectonic setting as well as depositional environment in a holistic manner which hitherto has not been used by any worker. A total of 56 fresh outcrop samples were obtained from the study area. The samples were subjected to detailed lithologic description by visual examination. Geochemical analysis was done using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-MS/AES) to determine major, trace and rare-earth elements using lithium metaborate/tetraborate fusion method. Weathering Indices of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) and Ruxton Ratio (RR) of ARG has a range of (0.18-86.1, 0.13-99.3, 0.18-99.5 and 1.80-25.2) with median of (76.7, 92.6, 93.5 and 5.76) respectively while CRG has a range of (2.93-97.7, 2.78- 99.7, 2.94-99.7 and 1.83-46.4) and median of (76.1, 85.5, 87.7 and 10.9) respectively, indicating moderate to high weathering at the source. The Al2O3-(K2O+CaO+MgO)-(Fe2O3+MgO), (AKF) ternary plots reveals sediments of ARG and CRG deposited in Continental, Transition and Marine zone and dominated by argillaceous, carbonaceous argillite, carbonaceous and a ferruginous argillites confirming a chemically altered sediments deposited in oxidizing and shallow marine environment. The plots of Log (Fe2O3/K2O) vs Log (SiO2/Al2O3) reveals sediments deposited in the Fe Shale, Shale, Wacke, Subarkose and Quartz arenite field. The discriminant function plots of Herron characterized the sediments as been derived from Quartzose sedimentary provenance, Intermediate igneous and Felsic provenance. Trace elements ternary plots of La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10 and Th-Co-Zr/10 reveal deposition within Continental Island Arc, Passive Margin and Oceanic Island Arc settings. This confirmed the tectonic discriminant plots of K2O/Na2O vs SiO2. This discriminant function diagram proposed by Roser and Korsch (1986) distinguish the sources of the sediments into four provenance zones, mafic, intermediate, felsic, igneous and quartzose sedimentary using ratio plots and raw oxides. Most of the sediments of ARG and CRG fall in, quartzose sedimentary provenance using raw oxide plots, and exceptions are the limestones that fall in intermediate igneous provenance this also corroborates with the ratio plots. Conclusively, the study shows that the Cretaceous clastic sediments of ARG and CRG have multiple provenances subjected to moderate to high weathering conditions and were deposited within an oxidizing and shallow marine setting and derived from Upper Continental Crust (UCC).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Maastrichtian Coals from the Anambra and Gongola Basins of Nigeria: Implications for Coal Quality, Resource Potential, and Agglomeration Characteristics
    (2024-06-22) Jimoh, Ayoola Yusuf; Bolaji, Mariam; Ajadi, Jimoh; Aminu, Shakirat Mustapha; Akinpelu Adelodun Mutiu
    Anambra and Gongola basins are part of the sedimentary inland basins in Nigeria characterized by fossil fuels and in response to its present energy problem, Nigeria has shifted its power generating focus to coal. The studied coals were obtained from two localities, namely Ankpa and Maiganga in Kogi and Gombe States, respectively. The coals were investigated to determine its quality in terms of use and resource potential. The coals were analyzed by proximate, ultimate, elemental, mineralogy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry analyses. The objectives of the study are to determine the coals cokability, rank, paleoenvironments, hydrocarbon potential, and slagging tendency. The average values of moisture content, ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon are 5.54%, 16.42%, 48.45%, and 30.71%, respectively, for Ankpa coals, while Maiganga recorded 10.68%, 8.60%, 44.33%, and 36.41%, indicating high volatile sub-bituminous non-coking coals that are optimum for combustion and electric power generation. The Van Krevelen plot based on the H/C vs. O/C showed Type IV kerogen. The XRD results, correlation plots, and Detrital Authigenic Index (DAI) values of 7.49 and 13.49 in Ankpa and Maiganga coals, respectively, indicated that Ankpa coals are enriched in authigenic minerals like quartz, pyrite, and calcite, while kaolinite and quartz were probable detrital minerals in the Maiganga coals. The agglomeration of the coals deduced by Base/Acid (B/A), Silicon ratio (G), Silica/Alumina (S/A), Iron/Calcium (I/C), Carbon/Hydrogen (C/H), and Fixed Carbon/Volatile matter (FC/V) showed weak–medium-strong for the Ankpa coals and strong for Maiganga coals.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Geological and geotechnical assessment of natural sands in Ilorin, Nigeria
    (ICE publishing/Thomas Telford, 2023-04-23) Olubunmi Oluwadare Owoyemi and Lekan Olatayo Afolagboye
    The quality of the aggregates used inplastering mortar contributes to the properties of the mortar. This study evaluated the suitability of two grades of sand – sharp sand collected along active/old river courses and plastering sand bbnnmm from borrow pits – as plastering materials. X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis were used to study their mineralogy and major, minor and trace element components. Grain-size distribution analysis, natural moisture content, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, matric suction and permeability tests were also carried out on the sand samples. In both sands, the silica content was more than 80%. The plastering sand had a higher natural moisture content than the sharp sand. The fineness modulus ranged from 1.31 to 1.83 and 0.53 to 1.01, respectively, for the sharp sand and the plastering sand. The permeability coefficients and matric suction of the sharp sand were larger than those of the plastering sand. This implies that sharp sand will allow easier water passage through its pore spaces, therefore tending to exist in a dryer state than plastering sand. The tested sharp sand may be suitable for plastering because the test results were within the acceptable limits for good plastering materials according to national and international standards.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    GEOPHYSICAL AND HYDROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION FOR QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSES OF GROUNDWATER WITHIN ILORIN NW, SHEET 223 SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
    (School of Post Graduate Studies, Kwara State University, Malete, 2022-06) Umar ISSA
    The study area covers parts of Ilorin Northwest Sheet 223 which is underlain by the Basement Complex rocks of southwestern Nigeria. The need for groundwater system evaluation within the study area arises to provide a standard database for consumption and Agrarian purposes. The study aims at determining the quantity and quality of the groundwater in the area. The objectives of the study are to determine the groundwater time-dependent variations to obtain the perennial groundwater level fluctuation, analyze the magnetic anomalies to derive lineaments’ distribution, investigate the geophysical study of vertical electrical sounding to establish the potentiality of the groundwater, and, conduct the hydrochemical analysis of groundwater samples of 35 sampling points within the area to determine their quality for human and agrarian usability. The methodology adopted for this research includes; (i) Peizometric measurement of water level in the area for perennial groundwater level fluctuation determination, (ii) analyzing aeromagnetic dataset to obtain magnetic anomalies of the underlain rocks within the area (iii) vertical electrical sounding of Schlumberger array techniques to investigate resistivity changes of the underlying lithologies and, (iv) assessment of groundwater quality through in-situ and laboratory methods. The findings from this study revealed that the area is underlain by lithologies comprising; migmatite gneiss, banded gneiss, augen gneiss, granite gneiss, quartz-mica-schist, and fine grained granite. The time-dependent variation studies show higher groundwater levels in the southern part of the study area than in the rest parts. The magnetic anomalies are also higher in the southern part, while they are moderate and low in the western and the eastern parts respectively. The vertical electrical sounding (VES) identified three to five geo-electric layers; the topsoil, the lateritic horizon, the weathered basement, the sandy clay/clayey sand, and the underlying fractured basement rock with the depth varying from 1.05 to 41.8 m. The range of concentrations of the measured physical parameters; including turbidity (50-470 NTU), pH (3.7-7.9), temperature (29-35 °C) and electrical conductivity (50-940 µS/cm) and average of chemical parameters (mg/l) Ca (0.85), Na (1.23), K (0.35), Mg (0.56), Cu (0.03), Fe (0.03), Mn (0.1), Zn (0.02). Pb (0.03), Cd (0.05), SO4 3- (0.02), PO4 2- (0.11), Cl- (1.43), HCO3 - (65), CO3 - (157), and NO3 - (0.47), fall below the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The study concludes that the crystalline rocks within the Ilorin Northwest Sheet 223 have a moderate to low permeability, therefore, are aquiferous with modest groundwater potential, especially in the southern part. The high lineament density mapped also confirms the above deductions. The physio-chemical assessment of groundwater samples revealed values that fall below the maximum desirable and permissible limits of the WHO standard, which suggest that the groundwater in the study area is good for human consumption and suitable for Agricultural purposes