Geochemistry and Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene Marine Series, Iullemmeden Basin, Niger Republic ()
ABSTRACT
Major and trace elements,
mineralogy as well as the total organic content of the Upper
Cretaceous-Paleocene Marine Series of the Iullemmeden basin in Niger were
determined in order to assess their composition, the chemistry of the
paleoenvironment and the nature of the parent crystalline rocks that they
evolved from. The major and trace elements were analyzed using a Bruker Tracer
IV energy-dispersive hand held X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, the
mineralogical analyses were done using a Bruker AXS D8 Discover, while the
total organic carbon was calculated by subtraction of inorganic carbon from the
total carbon, determined using a CM5014 coulometer (UIC, Joliet, IL, USA) and a
LECO SC-144DR instrument. Geochemical indices calculated from major oxides such
as CIA, PIA, ICV and CIW have been computed and the results show that the
Marine Series are made essentially of clay minerals of the smectite group
(montmorillonite), quartz and other accessory minerals like rutile and calcite.
Computed ratios of some trace elements such as V/(V + Ni) and V/(V + Cr) showed
that the paleoenvironment was dysoxic-oxic and the low values (<2) of the
Total Organic Carbon found in the sediments are justified by those poor
preservative conditions. Based on Al2O3/TiO2 ratios, the sediments were derived from intermediate to acidic igneous rocks
surrounding the basin.
Share and Cite:
Ali, M. , Wagani, I. and Chaanda, M. (2019) Geochemistry and Mineralogy of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene Marine Series, Iullemmeden Basin, Niger Republic.
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
7, 1-19. doi:
10.4236/gep.2019.712001.
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