Abstract

The geochemical classification of granitic rocks in the Gwada area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria was carried out. The methodology adopted for the research consists of fieldwork and geochemical analysis of rock samples using XRF at Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Kaduna. Field evidence suggests that, the Gwada area mapped is largely underlain by highly weathered Schist and Granites. The granites occur as an intrusion into the highly weathered Schist in the study area. The geochemical results reveals that, the SiO2 content ranges from 70.09 wt% to 72.02 wt% and an average of 71.20 wt%. The Al2O3 ranges from 11.21wt% to 12.46wt% and an average of 11.93wt%. The P2O5 content remain constant for the entire sample and has a value less than 0.001 wt%. The Na2O content ranges from 0.94wt% to 1.65wt% and 1.28wt% on the average. The K2O ranges from 6.98wt% to 8.70wt% with an average of 7.74wt%. The CaO ranges from 3.30wt% to 5.01wt%, with an average of 4.30wt%. Likewise, the range and average content of MgO, TiO2 and MnO are 0.04 to0.81, 0.42; 0.51 to 0.83, 0.69; 0.06 to 0.2, 0.11 wt% respectively. The research concludes based on the geochemical analysis and plots confirm that, the analyzed rocks from Gwada are granites. Furthermore, the research also concludes that, Gwada granites as acidic based on the average values of 71.20 wt% of SiO2 content. Therefore, the Gwada granites conform to other Pan-African granites in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content      page 

Cover page

Title Page i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Abstract vi

Table of Contents vii

List of Figures ix

List of Tables x

CHAPTER ONE: - INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Statement of Research Problem 3

1.3 Justification 3

1.4 Aim and Objectives 3

1.5 Study Area 4

1.5.1 Location, Extent and Accessibility 4

1.5.2 Relief and Drainage 5

1.5.3 Climate and Vegetation 5

1.5.4 Land Use 6

1.6 Scope of Work and Limitation 6

CHAPTER TWO: - LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Previous studies 7

CHAPTER THREE: - MATERIAL AND METHODS           

3.1 Methodology 11

3.1.1 Materials 11

3.1.2 Fieldwork 12

3.1.3 Sampling 12

3.1.4 Mapping Geologic Structures 12

3.2 Laboratory Analysis 13

3.2.1 Principles of X-Ray Fluorescence 13

CHAPTER FOUR: - RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Fieldwork Result 16

4.2 Laboratory Results 19

4.3 Classification 20

4.4 Discussion 25

CHAPTER FIVE: - CONCLUSION AND RECOMMEDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion 26

5.2 Recommendations 26

REFERENCES 27