ASSESSMENT OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS IN SOILS FROM GRANITE QUARRYING ACTIVITIES IN IYUKU, AUCHI, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the concentration of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in soils obtained from Granite Quarry in Iyuku, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. This study was done in order to assess if the mining activities in Iyuku has had any impact on the concentration of REEs in the soil around the quarry site. For the purpose of this study eight (8) soil samples were collected from four different locations (two each) around the granite quarry in Iyuku. The samples we collected at depth range of 0-10cm and 10cm-20cm. For analysis of the samples, XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) method was used to determine the REE concentration in the samples collected. Results were then normalized and compared with known REE standards fromPAAS (Post Achaean Australian Shale) and UCC (Upper Continental Crust). The REE values gotten from the analysis of the samples were then plotted in a comparison curve with standards from PAAS and UCC and it was observed that the degree of contamination in the soil samples varies from low contamination to very high contamination. All the REE contamination factor of the soil samples analysed are below the standard contamination factor of 1 except Lutetium (Lu) (9.327), which was above the contamination factor of 6.