Department of Geology and Mining

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Browsing Department of Geology and Mining by Subject "Clay mineralogy, geochemical, geotechnical, industrial potentials."

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    Mineralogical, Geochemical and Geotechnical Characteristics of the Maastrichtian clay Member of the Lafia Formation in Doma and Shabu areas, Middle Benue Trough
    (Department of Geology and Minning, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-03-06) Obrike, Stephen E.; Maina, B.M.; Ofoegbu, Charles O.
    The Maastrichtian clay member of the non-fossiliferous Lafia Formation as exposed in Doma and Shabu was investigated to assess its physical and compositional characteristics with a view to establishing its potential use as industrial raw material. The mineralogical determination by X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the clays show prominent peaks of kaolinite as the major clay mineral with diffused mixed layer of illite-smectite-chlorite and mica. Chemical analysis by X-ray Fluorescence reveals a dominance of SiO (54.14 – 58.02), Al O (20.14 – 23.68), Fe O (13.07 – 2 2 3 2 3 + 9.23), TiO2 (1.65 – 2.67) and H O (4.23 – 11.05), while CaO, MgO, K O, Na O, MnO and P O contribute less than 2 2 2 2 5 1% of the total elemental composition. The clays exhibit liquid limits in the range of 41-58%, plasticity index (22 - 36%), linear shrinkage (5.2 - 6.4%), Water Absorption Capacity (6.0 - 7.2%) and Loss on ignition (9.2 - 10.18%). The physical, mineralogical and chemical compositions in comparison with international specifications suggest that these clay deposits could be exploited for paints, cement, refractory ceramics and bricks production.