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Geochemical characterization of Cretaceous sandstones from the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria

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Abstract

Geochemical studies of sandstones from the three lithostratigraphic successions in the southern Benue Trough of Nigeria were undertaken for a geochemical characterization of the sandstones, and to assess their stratigraphic and source evolution.

Major and trace elements data were obtained from outcrop sandstone samples. The SiO2/Al2O3, Fe2O3/K2O ratios and CaO contents have been used to characterize the Cretaceous sandstones into Al-rich and high and low Fe2O3/K2O ratio sandstones. Results indicate that there are geochemical features that display stratigraphic trends across the succession from the Asu River Group, Eze-Aku Group to the proto-Niger Delta succession which may imply a discontinuous evolution from different source terrains of Precambrian and Mesozoic ages that supplied the sediments. The Asu River Group sandstones have lower SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and higher MgO; the Eze-Aku sandstones have higher TiO2, CaO, alkalis and lower MgO while the proto-Niger Delta sandstones have higher SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and lower alkalis and CaO. These discontinuities signify the influence of tectonic impulses that affected the southern Benue Trough during the Cretaceous time. Changes in ratios of TiO2/Al2O3, Fe2O3, Cr and Zr suggest an increasingly mafic contribution to the depositional basin with time. The chemical index of alteration increases with time, possibly suggesting that a more intense weathering regime in the hinterland developed with time.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    M. I. Odigi & L. C. Amajor

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  1. M. I. Odigi
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Odigi, M.I., Amajor, L.C. Geochemical characterization of Cretaceous sandstones from the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. Chin. J. Geochem. 28, 44–54 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-009-0044-7

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