Malaysian Journal of Geosciences (MJG)

In late Cretaceous, the Benue Trough was subjected to the Santonian tectonism that leads to the formation of the Anambra Basin. A detailed study was carried in the Awgu section of the Anambra Basin were six outcrops were visited across the basin. Lithofacies studies was carried out on the sediments and sedimentary rocks of the various formation in the Anambra Basin. Detailed field mapping exercise was also carried out with respect to logging and identification of sedimentary structures. Six (6) outcrop sections were studied and categories into six lithofacies associations based on their stacking patterns. The Anambra basin is dominated by carbonaceous shales, dark fissile shale, siltstone, heterolithic sandstones, sandstones and conglomerate in some places. The various formations within the basin provides some understanding on the variability of depositional environments and facies succession and association. In the Anambra Basin, studies of the lithofacies, lithofacies association and succession has revealed that the formations in thye basin were deposited in a marginal marine to marine setting and the sub-environments identified are tidal channels to intertidal flat, delta plain to coastal swamp, the subtidal to coastal swamp and the shoreface. The fining upward and coarsening upwards sequences of the lithofacies and their vertical successions shows that the sediments were deposition during the transgressive and regressive phase of the ancient sea.

The surge in global demand for lithium, largely driven by the rapid advancement of lithium-ion battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics, has intensified activities related to the exploration, mining, beneficiation, and extraction of lithium-bearing ores. To ensure efficient processing, detailed characterization of these ores is indispensable for the selection of suitable unit operations and overall process optimization. This characterization relies on a combination of analytical techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The critical roles of comminution, work index, and liberation size determinations could have significant effects on the whole process design. Similarly, the need to understand the beneficiation and extraction mechanisms will enable process optimization, thereby, addressing challenges that may arise in the recovery of lithium products, most especially, the sequence of process route development. Meanwhile, drawbacks established from existing methods require crucial attention to eliminate high costs and toxic substances from lithium ores processing and lithium carbonate production. This review work summarises and highlights the process route associated with lithium recovery from lithium ores with the overall aim of exploring alternative avenues to reduce and eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.

The distribution pattern of major elements’ mineralogy and geochemistry in the sandstones of the Lokoja Formation in the Southern Bida Basin of Nigeria was determined and used to classify and decipher the paleoclimatic conditions of the basin. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were utilized to perform mineralogical and inorganic geochemistry investigations on seven (7) typical sandstone samples. Results of the mineralogical analysis, which showed clay matrix and feldspar content in high proportions, helped in interpreting the sandstone as texturally immature, belonging to the wacke clan and classified as feldspathic greywacke. Results of major element concentrations revealed that the sandstone has a depletion of MnO2 and P2O5 and an enrichment of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, and NazO. Geochemical classification plots, using log ratios of Na₂0/K2O against SiO2/Al2O3 and SiO2/Al2O3 against K2O/Na2O, also show that the sandstone is a greywacke. Similarly, the sandstone was categorised as sodic sandstones rich in plagioclase feldspars using a geochemical ternary diagram of potassium oxide (K2O) and sodium oxide (Na₂O) overlaid with fron oxide (Fe:D) and magnesia (MgO). The hivariate plot for chemical maturity indicated that the high 1 in 9e phots zrognas indies dry paleoclimatic state.

This study examines Oligocene-Miocene pebbly sandstones within Asaba – Ibusa locality in southern Nigeria using the pebble morphometric analysis technique to determine the palaeoenvironmental and palaeodepositional environments. The transport history and the energy of deposition of the sediment have been inferred by examining shape, roundness, and sphericity of pebbles. Major morphometric parameters such as Zingg classification, flatness ratios, and indices of elongation were used on 237 pebble samples collected in 2 strategic sites including: Lander Brothers Quarry (Ibusa) and Dennis Osadebay University Spring (Asaba). Results indicate a fluvial dominated depositional environment, supported by high sphericity values (mean MPSI > 0.65), sub rounded pebbles (mean roundness 36-38%), and negative oblate-prolate indices (mean OPI: -1.10 to -0.61). A comparative analysis between Asaba and Ibusa pebbles indicate that there are spatial differences in palaeoflow energy and sediment transport processes with Ibusa pebbles exhibiting a little more sphericity implying a downstream rise in the energy of the fluvial. The research presents the quantitative uniqueness of the examined silt and is relevant to the idea of the processes of hinterland fluvial in the research at the time of the Oligocene-Miocene transition. These findings will enhance regional stratigraphic models and offer insights into sediment routing systems linked to Benue Trough tectonics and climatic shifts.

A preliminary organic geochemical investigation was conducted on eight samples of shale from the Ahoko Formation to assess the hydrocarbon prospects of the southern Bida Basin. In this study, analytical methods such as the determination of total volume of organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) were used. A range of TOC values between 0.75% and 1.76% (7,500–17,600 ppm) was obtained, indicating fair to good organic matter (OM) content. Nevertheless, the values of Rock-Eval S1 as well as S2, which are free hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons produced by kerogen cracking, respectively, were quite low. All the parameter values above reflect a limited potential for hydrocarbon generation. Generation Potential (GP) readings ranged from 0.15 to 1.07 mg HC/g rock, classifying the samples as source rocks of poor potential. The hydrogen index (HI) suggests dominance of reworked type IV organic matter despite some type III terrestrial input. Biomarker ratios (e.g., Pr/n-C17, Ph/n-C18) indicate weathering and biodegradation effects, while cross-plots of Pr/n-C17 vs Ph/n-C18 and Pr/Ph vs CPI, as well as Pr/Ph trends, point to a predominantly terrestrial organic matter source. Overall, the results suggest the Ahoko Formation within the area studied is immature and currently exhibits limited hydrocarbon prospectivity.

This work assessed the suitability of subsurface materials used for foundation development within a coastal environment prone to building subsidence and foundation distress. Seismic refraction tomography was employed to generate P- and S-velocities, which were then employed to generate elastic moduli that evaluated the competence of the subsurface strata for foundation development. The results indicated the presence of two subsurface strata with varying capacities for foundation development. The uppermost stratum had reduced values of seismic velocities and elastic moduli, indicating that the near-surface material was weak and had reduced load-bearing capacity. The second stratum, on the other hand, had higher measures of seismic velocities and elastic moduli, indicating its competence for supporting heavy engineering loads. The allowable bearing capacity increased from 77.51 -129.74 kN/m² in the uppermost stratum to 294.48 – 424.84 kN/m² in the second stratum, indicating the suitability of the lower stratum for supporting high-rise
foundations. Values of geotechnical moduli such as bulk modulus, constrained modulus, compressibility, and compliance corroborated these results, delineating the second stratum as having significantly higher stiffness and reduced compressibility compared to Layer 1. The results indicate a strong correlation between measures of seismic-derived elastic moduli and bearing capacities in coastal deltaic sediments. The integrated seismic-geotechnical approach was found useful for evaluating competent foundation layers and offers a cost￾effective strategy for reducing the risks of foundation distress in sedimentary environments.

A geoelectric investigation was conducted using the vertical electrical sounding (VES) method across 21 locations in the Nsukka region of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study aimed to characterize the hydraulic properties of the subsurface aquifer units. The results delineated a stratigraphic sequence of five to six geoelectric layers within the surveyed depth. Key aquifer parameters were derived, with resistivity ranging from 156.8 to 32,698.2 Ωm and thickness varying between 15.3 and 159.7 m. These primary parameters were used to compute essential geohydraulic properties. The calculated values include: porosity (26.45–31.21%), hydraulic conductivity (0.0237–3.478 m/day), transmissivity (1.6056–153.6256 m²/day), and formation factor (0.0029–0.037). Additionally, the Dar Zarrouk parameters – longitudinal conductance (0.0023–0.2783 Ω⁻¹) and transverse resistance (2712.64–3,841,839.0 Ωm²) were determined. Spatial contour maps of these properties revealed their variation across the study area, enabling the identification of zones with the most prolific aquifer potential. This study successfully characterizes the geo-hydraulic framework of the local aquifer system. The findings provide a critical foundation for sustainable groundwater management and development in the region, with applicability to other areas of similar geology.

Sedimentological and Geochemical evaluation of the sand within the Benin formation, Niger Delta basin was done. In all, thirty-four (34) outcrop samples were collected, which were subjected to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) fusion analysis, petrographic analysis and grain size analysis. According to the grain analysis, the sand is mesokurtic to leptokurtic (average 1.56), medium grained (average 1.4), poorly sorted (average 1.25), and fine skewed (average 0. 30). This study demonstrates that the Benin Formation’s coastal plain sand is rich in SiO2, suggesting that the samples contain a large quantity of quartz. The SiO2/Al2O3 average ratio of 6.25 further suggests that the sand is mineralogically immature. According to petrographic studies, the coastal plain sand is compositionally mature. The samples were mostly mature, as shown by the mineralogical maturity index (average 18.60). The Zircon-Rutile-Tourmaline (ZTR) index of 67.96 indicates that the sand is chemically immature. The sand has undergone moderate to intense chemical weathering at an intermediate stage under cool/arid paleoclimatic conditions, as indicated by the chemical index of alteration (CIA) of 68.61, plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) of 78.36, and mineralogical index of alteration (MIA) of 43.13. The chemical index of weathering (CIW) of 80.63, on the other hand, indicates that the sand has undergone a significant amount of weathering. Likewise, the weathering indices ratio (Al2O3/TiO2) both support the conclusion that the coastal sand has a felsic origin
of provenance.

Soil erosion has emerged as a global environmental challenge, intensified by growing population pressures and increasingly intensive land use. Even minor soil loss can trigger significant ecological and socio-economic consequences. Erosion occurs through both natural processes and human-induced activities, making its assessment essential for sustainable land management. Among the widely applied models, W. H. Wischmeier’s Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Reynard’s Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) provides a robust framework for estimating soil erosion. Both the models incorporate key factors such as rainfall intensity, soil erodibility, vegetation cover, slope length and slope steepness, and land conservation practices. Slope length and Slope steepness (LS factor) plays a critical role in identifying zones most vulnerable to erosion. Reliable estimation of Slope Length and Slope Steepness can be achieved using slope map from Digital Elevation Model with the help of Arc GIS platform which mainly identify the zone of soil loss when other factors remain constant. In the Pathro River basin, the main objective how slope length and steepness factor affect the soil erosion and its intensity offering valuable insights for prioritizing conservation measures and mitigating land degradation.

In some metropolitan districts of Benin City, Nigeria, dumpsites were studied to determine the concentration of some major and trace elements as well as the health implications to the residents and agricultural activities. Various compounds found in dumpsites have the potential to harm both people and the environment when they seep into the ground. The impact on individuals and anthropogenic activities was evaluated using 45 soil samples (15 from each dumpsite) that were taken from a bored borehole at different depths. Iron, calcium, potassium, titanium, and manganese were the major elements examined of which iron had the highest concentration (reaching 26149 mg/l) of the group. In soil, iron toxicity may prevent the uptake of vital trace elements, but in people, it can cause cell death and gastrointestinal system degradation. Some of the trace elements analysed included ; zirconium, yttrium, zinc, vanadium, nickel, strontium, etc., with zirconium, zinc and nickel having highest average concentration values (497ppm, 65.67ppm and 43.3ppm respectively). These metals at toxic concentrations result in respiratory illnesses, diarrhoea, and other symptoms. The XRD results show that the minerals found in the dumpsites include; quartz, kaolinite, halloysite, zircon, albite, calcite, anatase and hematite of which quartz, kaolinite and haematite were the most common. The composite bar chart data for Otofure had percentages 38%, 25%, 16%, 12% and 9% for quartz, kaolinite/halloysite, hematite, zircon and anatase respectively. Relevant recommendations were made to policy makers, public health practitioners and the general public in managing dumpsites to minimize health risks.