PETROGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE BASALTS AROUND QIU AREA, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA
Abstract
The rocks around Biu area were sampled and analyzed petrographically and geochemically. The study region is identified and delineated using a topographic map, reconnaissance survey, and detailed geological mapping of the area. During the field work sample mapping revealed that the area is underlain by basalt, granite. However this work focused on the Basaltic rocks only. These are grouped into three types: Massive, slightly vesicular and vesicular basalt. The petrographic and geochemical analysis of basalts around the Biu plateau was conducted in the laboratory using various analytical techniques. Optical method, aided by the polarizing microscope, was utilized to examine the optical properties of the minerals under analysis. The observed minerals included augite, plagioclase lath, iron oxide, and olivine. Hand specimen description further confirmed the presence of olivine, and plagioclase feldspar. The geochemical analysis of the basalts on the other hand revealed the concentration of major oxides such as SiO₂, (Ranges from 40.842.8, with an average value of 41.5 wt.%). Al₂O) (Ranges from 10.3-11.9, with an average value of 10.92 wt.%), Fe2O3(Ranges from 20.6-21.9, with an average value of 21.14 wt.%) K₂O (Ranges from 1.12 -1.74, with an average value of 1.512). Na₂O(Ranges from1.5-1.79, with an average value of 1.64) MgO (Ranges from 2.27-3.11, with an average value of 2.612) TiOs (Ranges from 3.88 -4.58, with an average value of 4.394), P₂Os (Ranges from 2.09 2.37, with an average value of 2.258), CaO (Ranges from 1.2-13.5, with an average value of 10.38) and MnO (Ranges from 0.34-0.359, with an average value of 0.352). Additionally, trace elements such as Ba, S, CI, V, Cr. Na, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Pb were also analyzed. The petrographic study using polarizing microscope revealed the mineralogical composition of the rocks in order of abundance of olivine, plagioclase lath, augite, as essential minerals while iron oxides as the accessories.
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