Distribution and Significances of the Major Oxides in Recent Coastal Sabkha Sediments of the Al-Dafna Plateau, northeast Tobruk, Libya

Twenty sabkha samples were chemically analyzed by XRF technique for determination of their major oxides concentrations. Six cores penetrated both the intertidal and supratidal flat zones developed in six wadis mouths in the coastal stretch of the Al-Dafna plateau, northeast Tobruk city. The significance distribution and concentration of the major oxides are discussed and interpreted. Elements in the raw material of the study area reflect important evidence of geochemical weathering processes that affecting parent rocks as well as conditions of sedimentation, and rate of deposition. Correlation coefficients have been used to illustrate the abundance and distribution of these elements. The distribution of major oxides are follows Si2O > CaO > LOI > Al2O3 > SO3 > MgO > Na2O > K2O. The vertical distribution of major elements is mainly controlled by the abundance and proportions of the clastics, carbonates and evaporite minerals. It was found that silica present in the form of detrital, subrounded to rounded silt- to sand-sized quartz grains, while the content of Al2O3 is associated with terrigenous argillaceous materials. On the other hand, the presence of Fe2O3 is related to the abundance of clastic materials in sabkha deposits. It was found that K2O and Na2O concentrations increase toward the sabkha surfaces.

PETROGENESIS, MAJOR OXIDES AND TRACE ELEMENTS GEOCHEMISTRY OF MIGMATITE IN AJUBA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Petrogenesis, major oxides and trace elements geochemical study was carried out on migmatite in Ajuba. The study area is located on Latitudes 8° 05'N and 8°13'N and Longitudes 5°23'E and 5°30'E. Five rock samples were taken from the migmatite outcrops and used for petrographic and geochemical analyses. The geochemical analysis was done using X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer technique. The dominant rock type is migmatite; gneiss and granite outcrops were also found in sparse distribution. Ptygmatic folds, which constitute the palaeosome, is the common structure observed on the migmatite rock. The petrographic analysis shows that the migmatite consists of quartz, biotite, plagioclase, hornblende and microcline. The major oxides analysis indicates SiO2 as the dominant oxide with concentration range values (70.71 wt. % - 79.32 wt. %) and average of 74.80 wt. %. Al2O3 (14.98 wt. % - 16.44 wt. %, average: 15.70 wt. %) and Fe2O3 (9.10 wt. % - 15.41 wt. %, average: 12.39 wt. %), K2O (6.67 wt. % - 8.86 wt. %, average: 7.50 wt. %) and CaO (0.49 Wt. % - 4.64 wt. %. average: 2.73 wt. %). P2O5, MnO and TiO2 are less than 1.0 wt. %. The trace elements analysis indicates the concentration distributions: Rb (0.11-0.15 ppm, average 0.13 ppm), Co (0.04-0.17 ppm, average 0.10 ppm). Trace elements ˂ 0.10 ppm are Zn, W, Ni, Cu, V and Pb. From the petrographic and geochemical assessment, the petrogenesis of the migmatite has silica-rich igneous parentage. Moreover, the plots of SiO2-CaO and K2O-SiO2 placed the migmatite on the “upper boundary field of Francisian Greywacke” protolith and Shoshonite series, respectively.

A Synoptic Review of Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristics of Clays in the Southern Part of Nigeria

This paper reviews the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of clays found in southern part of Nigeria, with a view to determine its usability. The usability of clays, depends on its chemical and mineralogical charactertics, the end product of clay after it is been processed is also based on it’s charactertics. From reviewed literature, it was observed that sampled clay within the study area were analyzed using the XRD, XRF and ICPMS method. Further findings also revealed that the dominant clay minerals within the study area include montmorillonite, illite, and kaolinite. On the other hand, it was observed that non-clay minerals such as feldspar, quartz, dickite and many others were found with clay as revealed by several scholars. While chemical charactertics of clay consists mainly of Al2O3, K2O, CaO and SiO2, with other major oxides such as P2O5, MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, MnO and Na2O. Some trace elements such Be, Ba, Sc, Sr, Zr, V and Y were reported to be present in clays deposit found in selected part of Ogun state. From reviewed articles, it was observed that mineralogical and chemical charactertics of clay make it suitable for pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetic and polymer industries, but considered to be fairly suitable for oil and gas industry.

Geochemical Study Geochemical Study of Injana Formation and its Tectonic Significances in Selected Areas-Iraq

This study is concerned with geochemical analysis of major oxides; these are SiO2, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, in addition to MnO. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Ultra Violet Spectrophotometer tools were used to examine ten samples represented the detritus LOI sediments of Injana Formation in Iraq in two sites which are (S1) site at Dohuk Governorate and (S2) at Al-Najaf Governorate; where five samples for each sites were collected.

Comparison Between the Classical Classification and Digital Classification for Selected Samples of Igneous and Carbonate Rocks

As igneous rocks have widely chemical and mineralogical compositions, there are many ways to classify these rocks. These ways are classical approved methods to give a reliable classification and nomenclature of rocks. Some igneous rocks may be classified by digital image processing to assist in classical methods. Five igneous samples were cut, prepared of thin sections, and polished to classify them by classical methods and digital image processing by ENVI software. Moreover, part of these samples crushed an analysis of major oxides. The current igneous samples have referred to the basic and mesocratic rocks based on the classical methods and this has corresponded to ENVI software. The igneous samples have reflected the leucogabbros when classify them by classical and ENVI classifications, except the G5 sample, which has been referred to as gabbro by ENVI. There is a clear similarity between the classical and ENVI classifications. ENVI classification is a reliable classification to assist the classical methods in the nomenclature of igneous rocks, especially, plutonic rocks, it can be also applied to thin sections of volcanic rocks to classify and nomenclature classification by ENVI has been applied on fifty thin sections of limestones to identify microfacies which are classified beforehand by classical (optical) classification. According to optical classification, microfacies have classified as mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and grainstone. When the digital classification is applied to them, there is no grainstone texture found in these them. Digital thin sections, where the true name of these microfacies is packstone. Therefore, the positive sides of the digital image processing by ENVI software appeared and contrasted to the optical classification which contained some mistakes when applied to the nomenclature of these microfacies.

X-RAY FLUORESCENCE AND STABLE ISOTOPES ANALYSES OF IKPESHI MARBLE, SOUTH SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Integration of X-ray fluor escence and stable isotope spectrometric techniques for quality assessment and provenance study of exposed marble deposit at Fakunle Quarry, Ikpeshi, South Western Nigeria constitute the fundamental aims of this research. Fourteen fresh (14) marble samples obtained at different localities within the quarry were subjected to geochemical and isotopic analyses to ascertain the quantitative abundance of major oxides and stable isotopes using X-Ray Fluorescence and Thermo Fisher mass spectrometer respectively. The major oxides revealed by XRF analysis of the marble samples are CaO, MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and Na2O with percentage composition ranging between 11.66 – 13.25, 7.75 – 9.65, 41.36 – 47.55, 12.36 – 15.23, 7.79 – 10.55 and 1.44 – 1.75respectively. Na2O + K2O value ranges between 1.48 and 1.78.The classification of marble in relation to percentage of calcite-dolomite indicate a percentage range of -5 to 4% and 93-103% for Calcite and Dolomite respectively. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) ranges from 45.16 to 51.59 % and Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) ranges from 46.19 to 52.30 %. Stable isotope ( ? –180) of marble ranges from -10.50 to -7.00 with a corresponding value from 25.50 to 55.33.Interpretation of the overall results indicates an impure quartz-rich dolomitic marble; metamorphosed from a low carbonate sedimentary/meta sedimentary protolith which shallowly precipitated within a passive marginal marine environment under humid condition. The high silica impurity can however be attributed to the inordinate influx of terrigenous sediments during the precipitation process. Weathering effect is minimal on the marble deposit. Conclusively, strong correlation is apparent between the obtained geochemical result and the basement geology of the study area.

Sedimentological and geochemical characterization of DF-2 well, Onshore Western Niger Delta: Implications for provenance, tectonic history and paleo depositional conditions

The sedimentology and geochemistry of the major oxides and trace elements of DF-2 well, Onshore, Niger Delta, are presented in this study. The study is aimed at describing the sedimentological characteristics as well as using the major oxides and trace elements to investigate the provenance, tectonic history and palaeo-depositional conditions of the well. Selected samples were investigated with fused bead X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry to determine their major oxides and fused bead laser ablation inductively couple plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) for their trace elements. Sedimentological analysis from the well shows that the lithology ranged from shaly sand, sandy shale, sandstone and shale. The results show the dominance of silicon oxide (SiO2) contents which ranges from 81.1 to 91.4 wt. % (average of 87.1 wt. %). The low average concentration of Cr<150 ppm and Ni <100 ppm, the ratios of Th/Sc, Th/Co, Th/Cr, Cr/Th, La/Sc, as well as the plots of Th/Co versus La/Sc and TiO2 versus Zr, all infer a felsic source rock. The discrimination plots of ratioK2O/Na2O against SiO2 and Log K2O/Na2O against Log SiO2/Al2O3 indicated passive continental margin. Various chemical classifications of the sediments show that the sandstone facies plotted mainly in quartzarenite, sublitharenite and Fe-rich sand domains. The samples were deposited under oxic environment based on the average values of U/Th (0.26 ppm), Ni/Co (2.79 ppm) and Cu/Zn (1.81ppm) and bivariate plot of Ni/Co versus V/Cr. However, the bivariate plot of Ni/Co versus V/ (V+Ni) specifies oxic to anoxic conditions and V/Vi + Ni ratios indicate oxic, suboxic to euxinicpalaeode positional environments for the sediments. Geochemical characterization illustrates mixed marine and terrigenous source input, deposited mainly in semi humid/humid climate. The positive values attained from ratios of Al2O3/(CaO+MgO+Na2O+K2O) infers mineralogical maturity based on stable mobile oxides content in the studied samples. Keywords: Felsic Rock, Quartzarenite, Litharenite, Passive Margin, Mobile Oxide, Mature Sediments.

Chemical analysis of some Pakistani Portland cement/clinker and their compliance with ASTM standards

This is a quality control study and analysis of Portland cement taken from four Pakistani cement plants (Deewan, Kohat, Lucky and Maple Leaf). These four samples were analysed and the determination of major oxides present was carried out. Loss on ignition and the percentage of insoluble residue was also determined. Our research shows percentage of major oxides present in these four samples i.e. calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide, iron oxide, sulphur trioxide and magnesium oxide. According to the American Society for Testing and Materials Cement (ASTM C150), the percentage of these oxides, loss on ignition and insoluble residue of these four plants are within the specified quality control range. The present study compared the quality of different oxides at the Portland cement brands in Pakistan. The percentages of SiO2,SO3, CaO, Al2O3,MgO and Fe2O3 were calculated according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM C150) uniform standards. The percentages of all of the brands were within the limits specified by the standard (ASTM C150).

Geochemical characterization of FE-1 well, Onshore Western Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

Major oxides and trace elements analysis was carried out on ditch cutting samples of FE-1 well, Onshore, Niger Delta Basin, to define their oxygen condition, paleo-climatic conditions, provenance, tectonic setting, sandstone classification and maturity of the sediments. Sedimentological analysis revealed five main lithofacies comprising of sandstone, shaly sand, mudstone, sandy clay and sandy shale. Geochemical results indicates that the average value of silica (87.1 wt. %) is far higher than the average values of the rest oxides which shows the duration and intensity of weathering and destruction of other minerals during transportation. Bivariate plot of La/Sc versus Th/Co, Zr versus TiO2, and trace elemental ratios of Th/Sc, Th/Co, Th/Cr, Cr/Th, La/Sc establishes that the source of the sediment are from felsic rock. Different chemical classification schemes characterized the sediments as quartzarenite, lithic arenites and Fe-rich sand. The plot of Log (K2O/Na2O) versus Log (SiO2/Al2O3) and K2O/Na2O versus SiO2 all plotted mainly in the passive margin zone. The low average value of uranium content, trace elemental ratios of U/Th, Ni/Co, Cu/Zn, V/Cr and binary plot of Ni/Co versus V/Cr indicated an oxic environment of deposition. However, the binary plot of Ni/Co versus V/ (V+Ni) indicates oxic to anoxic condition during deposition of the mixed marine and terrigenous source input sediment. Binary plot of SiO2 versus (Al2O3+Na2O+K2O) designates deposition mainly in humid/semi-humid climatic condition. The samples studied have a much higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratio with low Fe2O3/K2O ratio, thus, they are mineralogically mature. The Al2O3/(CaO+MgO+Na2O+K2O) ratio inferred that there are stable mobile oxides in the samples. Keywords: Major oxides, lithic arenites, provenance, tectonic setting.