ABSTRACT
Geochemical characteristics of clay samples obtained from Benin Toll-Gate, Benin-City, Edo State, Southern Nigeria were investigated. The intent of the study was to determine the industrial potentials of the deposits. A total of ten (10) samples were collected for analysis sampling points within the Benin Toll-Gate environs. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) was employed in the geochemical studies. The results show that the silica content was the highest (59.48 wt.%) in all the studied samples in the location. Other oxides include Al2O3,24.14 wt.%; Fe2O3, 4.65 wt.%; CaO, 0.22 wt.% and some small amounts of other oxides such as MgO of 0.44 wt.%; K2O, 0.20 wt.% and P2O5, 0.02 wt.% . Trace elements such as Ba, Cu, Cr, Ni Zn and V were observed in all the samples. V is the most abundant and had mean values of 0.172mg/cm2 ; Cu, 0.053 mg/cm2 ; Cr, 0.058 mg/cm2 ; Ni, 0.009 mg/cm2 and Zn, 0.014 mg/cm2 . The result also shows that the studied clay samples can serve as a basic raw material for ceramic production and refractory bricks but is unsuitable for paper and paints production. However, the studied clay can be more suitable for ceramic production after beneficiation to reduce the magnesium oxide and tin oxide compositional deficiencies. Generally, on the bases of chemical composition, the studied clay deposits at Benin Toll-Gate environs, Benin-City, Edo State Southern Nigeria would require blending with appropriate materials to improve its quality.
