Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies of Pb-Zn-fluorite-barite mineralization in the lower and middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

  • Published:
Mineralium Deposita Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lead-zinc-fluorite-barite veins in the lower and middle Benue Trough (Nigeria) are located within the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) carbonaceous shales, limestones, and arkosic sandstones of this intracontinental rift structure. The veins in the lower Benue Through consist of sphalerite + galena+marcasite ± chalcopyrite ± barite in a gangue of siderite and quartz hosted by carbonaceous shales, whereas in the middle Benue Trough, fluorite, barite, quartz, and similar sulfide minerals are hosted by limestone and sandstone. Fluid inclusion temperatures in vein minerals range from 95°C to 200°C (without pressure corrections) and salinities range from 14 to 24 equiv. wt% NaCl. Oxygen isotope compositions of limestone wall rocks (middle Benue) have been lowered from premineralization δ18O values of about 25 per mil to approximately 16 per mil. Fluid in equilibrium with vein calcite has a calculated δ18O of +2.6 per mil at 130°C. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of this calcite (0.71497) suggests that strontium and calcium had a considerably more radiogenic source than the Cretaceous limestone or evaporite did (87Sr/86Sr=0.7073−0.7078). Observed strontium data, lead isotope compositions of galena, and REE patterns in fluorite suggest that the Lower Paleozoic basement rocks in the trough or their weathered equivalents are likely sources for the Benue Trough ore components. Sulfur isotope data suggest that the sulfur was probably contributed from the Cretaceous evaporites in the trough.

Our data favor a basinal brine source for the ore-forming fluid. Fluid criculation probably resulted from high geothermal gradients accompanying continental rifting. Brine interaction with the clastic, carbonate, and evaporite rocks led to metal and sulfur leaching and later deposition in fractures accompanying the Cenomanian deformation and uplift in the Benue Trough.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akande, S.O., Horn, E.E., Reutel, C.: Mineralogy, fluid inclusion and genesis of the Arufu and Akwana Pb-Zn-F mineralization, middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. Journ. Africa Earth Science 7:167–180 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, P.B.: Possible role of organic matter in the precipitation of Mississippi Valley ores. Econ. Geol. Mono. 3:371–377 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benkhelil, J.: Benue Trough and Benue Chain. Geol. Magazine 119:155–168 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benkhelil, J.: Cretaceous deformation, magmatism and metamorphism in the lower Benue Trough, Nigeria. Geol. Journ. 22:467–493 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bethke, C.M.: A numerical model of compaction-driven groundwater flow and heat transfer and its application to the paleohydrology of intracratonic sedimentary basins. Journ. Geophy. Res. 90:6817–6828 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, K.C., Dessauvagie, T.F., Whiteman, A.J.: Geological history of the Benue Valley and adjacent areas. In: African Geology, Ibadan University Press: 187–205 (1970)

  • Claypool, G.E., Holser, W.T., Kaplan, I.R., Sakai, H., Zak, I.: The age curves of sulfur and oxygen isotopes in marine sulfate and their mutual interpretation, Chem. Geol. 28:199–260 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, J.L.: A preliminary description of the Nigerian leadzinc field. Econ. Geol. 47:583–608 (1952)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitsches, W.R., Ajibade, A.C., Egbuniwe, I.G., Holt, R.W., Wright, J.B.: Late Proterozoic Schist belts and plutonism in North West Nigeria. Journ. Geol. Soc. London 142:319–337 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I., O'Neil, J.R.: Compilation of stable isotope fractionation factors of geochemical interest. U.S.G.S. Prof. paper 440 — kk: 12p (1977)

  • Garven, G., Freeze, R.A.: Theoretical analysis of the role of groundwater flow in the genesis of stratabound ore deposits; 1, Mathematical and numerical model. Amer. Jour. Sci. 284:1085–1124 (1984a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garven, G. and Freeze, R.A.: Theoretical analysis of the role of groundwater flow in the genesis of stratabound ore deposits; 2, Quantitative results. Amer. Jour. Sci. 284:1125–1174 (1984b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graf, J.L.: Rare earth elements in carbonate rocks and minerals from the Viburnum Trend, south east Missouri. In: Kisvarsanyi, G., Grant, S.K., Pratt, W.P., Koenig, J.W. (eds.) International conference on Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits. Proceedings volume; Rolla, Univ. Missouri-Rolla Press:131–139 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, N.K.: The South Atlantic Benue Trough and Gulf of Guinea Cretaceous triple junction. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 82:2295–2298 (1971)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haskin, L.A., Wildeman, T.R., Frey, F.A., Collins, K.A., Keedy, C.R., Haskin, M.A.: Rare earth in sediments. Journ. Geophys. Res. 71:6091–6105 (1966)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hesse, J., Bender, M.L., Schilling, J.G.: Evolution of the ratio of Strontium-87 to Strontium-86 in seawater from Cretaceous to Recent. Science reports 231:979–984 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holser, W.T., Kaplan, J.R.: Isotope geochemistry of sedimentary sulfates. Chem. Geol. 1:93–95 (1966)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keith, M.L., Weber, J.N.: Carbon and Oxygen isotopic composition of selected limestone and fossils. Geoch. et. Cosmochim. Acta 28:1787–1816 (1964)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machel, H.G.: Some aspects of diagenetic sulphate-hydrocarbon redox reactions. In: Marshall, J.D. (ed.) Diagenesis of sedimentary sequences. Geol. Soc. Spec. Pub. 36:15–28 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maurin, J. C., Lancelot, J.R.: Origin des mineralisations de Pb-Zn de la Vottee de Bénoué (Nigeria) dàprès la composition en Pb des galenes et. de l'encaissaut. Mineral. Deposita 22:99–108 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCrea, J.M.: The isotopic chemistry of carbonates and a paleotemperature scale. Journ. Chem. Phy. 18:849–857 (1950)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murat, R.C.: Stratigraphy and paleogeography of the Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary in southern Nigeria. in African Geology, Ibadan University Press:251–266 (1970)

  • Nwachukwu, S.O.: Temperature of formation of vein minerals in the southern portion of the Benue Trough, Nigeria. Nig. Journ. Min. Geol. 11:45–55 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofodile, M.E.: A review of the geology of the Benue Valley. In: Kogbe, C.A. (ed.) Geology of Nigeria, Elizabethan Publishing Co.:319–330 (1975)

  • Ohmoto, H.: Systematics of sulfur and carbon isotopes in hydrothermal ore deposits. Econ. Geol. 67:551–578 (1972)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olade, M.A.: On the genesis of the lead-zinc deposits in Nigerias Benue rift (aulacogen) a re-interpretation. Nig. Journ. Min. Geol. 13:20–27 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Olade, M.A., Morton, R.D.: Origin of lead-zinc-mineralization in the southern Benue Trough, Nigeria, fluid inclusion and trace element studies. Mineral. Deposita 20:76–80 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, R.A.: Genesis of paleokarst and stratabound zinc-lead-sulfide deposits in a Proterozoic dolostone, northern Baffin Island, Canada. Econ. Geol. 79:1056–1103 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O'Neil, J.R., Clayton, R.N., Mayeda, T.K.: Oxygen isotope fractionation in divalent metal carbonates. Journ. Chem. Physics 51:5547–5548 (1969)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinckney, B.M., Rye, R.O.: Variations of 18O/16O, 13C/12C; texture and mineralogy in altered limestone in the Hill mine, Cave-in-Rock district, Illinois. Econ. Geol. 67:1–18 (1972)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter, R.W., Clynne, M.A., Brown, D.L.: Freezing point depression of aqueous NaCl solution. Econ. Geol. 73:284–285 (1978)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ravenhurst, C.E., Reynolds, P.H., Zentilli, M., Akande, S.O.: Isotopic constraints on the genesis of Zn-Pb mineralization at Gays River, Nova Scotia, Canada. Econ. Geol. 82:1294–1308 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reyment, R.A.: Aspects of the Geology of Nigeria. Ibadan University Press 148 p. (1965)

  • Roedder, E.: Fluid inclusion evidence on the genesis of ores in sedimentary and volcanic rocks. In: Wolf, K.H. (eds.) Handbook of stratabound and stratiform ore deposits 2:67–110 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, M.J.: Downward excavating hydrothermal cells and Irish type ore deposits, importance of an underlying thick Caledonian prism. Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. 87B:168–171 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rye, R.O., Ohmoto, H.: Sulfur and Carbon isotopes and ore genesis, a review. Econ. Geol. 69:826–843 (1974)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Short, K.C., Stauble, A.J.: Outline of geology of Niger Delta, A.A.P.G. Bulletin 51:761–779 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stacey, J.S., Kramers, J.D.: Approximation of terrestial lead isotopic evolution of two stage model, Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett. 26:206–221 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J., Hoefs, J.: The nature of 18O/16O and 13C/12C secular trends in sedimentary carbonate rocks. Geoch. et. Cosmochim. Acta 40:1387–1395 (1976)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria

    O. Akande

  2. Department of Geology, Dalhousie University, B3H3J5, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    M. Zentelli & P. H. Reynolds

Authors
  1. O. Akande
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Zentelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. H. Reynolds
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Akande, O., Zentelli, M. & Reynolds, P.H. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies of Pb-Zn-fluorite-barite mineralization in the lower and middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. Mineral. Deposita 24, 183–191 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206441

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206441

Keywords

Search

Navigation