TITLE:
The Geochemistry of Carbonate Rocks in Igwe Igarra, Southwestern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Jumoke Mujidat Omodeni
KEYWORDS:
Carbonate Rocks, Geochemistry, Igwe Area, Photomicrograph, Southwestern Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
19,
2023
ABSTRACT: Nigeria has an abundance of valuable solid minerals and rocks which
can generate revenue for the government if they are fully exploited. Carbonate
rock is one of such rocks that occur prominently in Igwe Igarra area of Edo
State. Five (5) carbonate rock samples (Four marble and One Calcsilicate) were
subjected to geochemical analyses. A petrographic study reveals that marble and calcsilicate contain calcite,
quartz, microcline, plagioclase, biotite and opaque minerals. Geochemical data
shows that carbonate rocks have variable geochemical characteristics: Igwe
marble is highly Calcitic (96% - 98%) and very low in
dolomite Mg(CO3). Calcsilicate rock is low in CaO (27.5%) and higher
in marble. The Igwe marble is pure and contains fewer impurities compared to calcsilicate rock which makes it
unideal for usage. Based on these characteristics the marble from Igwe
is suitable as raw materials for the productions of glass, papers, beet sugar,
aggregates, lubricants and fillers.