Groundwater X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis to Detect Solid Mineral Resources in Benue State, Nigeria

Authors

  • V. E. Ogah Department of Geology, Benue State Polythenic, Ugbokolo

Keywords:

X-ray Fluorescence, Mineral Resources, Physicochemical parameters, Surface alteration zones.

Abstract

Three ground water samples were analyzed at Spectral Laboratory Services; Tudun Wada, Kaduna using XRF analysis to determine the elemental concentration of the samples. The physicochemical
parameters of the water samples were also ascertained in the laboratory. This hydro-geochemical investigation was aimed at detecting economic mineral resources in Benue State, Nigeria. Geological, radioactive, biogeochemical, geo-botanical and hydrogeochemical prospecting techniques were highlighted as guides to discovery of ore minerals. The research failed to discover anomalous
concentration of elements that would serve as indicator to the occurrence of a viable mineral deposit in the study areas. It may be said that there is no sharply increased content of any element; high
above its threshold value in the sample results, that is indicative of higher than average content of the element in the soil, and possibly bedrock, which could serve as a pointer to a corresponding solid
mineral deposit. From the study carried out, it is found that Ogyoma ground water has the best quality for drinking and other domestic uses. This is because the elements contained in the water are within
permissible concentration levels as compared with WHO, EU and Nigeria standards for drinking water on table 8. This is in contrast to Kertyo groundwater with high content of undesirable elements,
which makes it unsuitable for domestic uses. 

Author Biography

V. E. Ogah, Department of Geology, Benue State Polythenic, Ugbokolo

 

 

References

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Published

2024-06-14

How to Cite

Ogah, V. E. (2024). Groundwater X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis to Detect Solid Mineral Resources in Benue State, Nigeria. NIGERIAN ANNALS OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES, 6(1), 142–153. Retrieved from https://mail.napas.org.ng/index.php/napas/article/view/358