Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology

Aims: To assess the source rock characteristics and the depositional environment through Geochemical studies of sediment samples from the Upper Benue Trough.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria and The Activation Laboratory Ltd, Ontario, Canada between February 2011 and March 2012.
Methodology: Eighteen samples made up of sand, shale, coaly shale, shaly sand and sandy shale, occurring between the depths of 18.3 m and 2725 m were analysed for thirty-four elements, comprising eight major, twelve trace, and fourteen rare earth elements (REE) using the Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry technique.
Results: The results show that the sediments are compositionally rich in Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. The low TiO₂values of compared to those of Post-Archean Australian average shale (PAAS) suggest that they were derived from more evolved felsic source rock. The relatively low average Rb/Sr and high Th/U ratios indicate that moderate to more intense weathering occurred in the source rock area. The absolute rare earth elements (REE) concentrations were in the order of coaly shale > shale > sandy shale > shaly sand > sand.
Conclusion: The Al₂O₃/TiO₂, Eu/Eu*, Th/Sc, La/Sc, Th/Co, La/Co, and Th/Cr ratios indicate that the sediments were probably derived from felsic source rocks. In addition, the high LREE/HREE ratios and the negative Eu anomaly also support felsic source rocks for the sediments whilst the very low V/Cr ratios indicate that these sediments were deposited under anoxic environment, consistent with the series of horst and graben structural framework model of the Benue Trough.