GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS: MORPHOLOGY, PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND MINEROLGY OF TERMITARIA SAMPLE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, UGBOWO CAMPUS, BENIN-CITY

ABSTRACT

This is a case study that examines the Morphology, Particle size distribution and Mineralogy of termitaria sample from the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin city. The morphology features show that the basal width is higher than the height of the termitaria. The Particle size distribution shows the various classification of the termite mound soil which are fine grain soil, medium grain soil and coarse grain soil. Coarse-grained soil feels gritty when touched by hand, and it is divided into two classes sand and gravel. It is often used as an embankment filling material during highway construction. Fine-grained soil feels smooth, greasy and sticky when touched by hand, it is classified into silt and clay. They are used as backfill against basement or retaining walls. The mineralogy analysis by XRD shows there are six (6) minerals present in the termite mound soil sample and revealed that they were about two (2) major minerals present in the sample which are Quartz and Tridymite.