THE GEOCHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CLAY FROM OKADA AND ENVIRONS, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Five (05) clay samples from Okada in Ovia North-East Local government Area, Edo State Southern Nigeria were obtained with the aim of determining their geochemical properties using both XRF and XRD analysis. The results of the geochemical analysis revealed the presence of SiO2 (65.23wt.%), Al2O3 (12.82wt.%), Fe2O3 (3.89wt.%), CaO(9.83wt.%), K2O(1.52wt.%) and TiO2(1.50wt.%), respectively. Figures (4.1a - 4.5b) show X-ray diffraction pattern for the five (05) Okada clay samples. Table 4.5 shows modal composition of the minerals, Table 4.7 shows the qualitative results of clay and non-clay minerals, Table 4.6 shows the average of major element oxide of the study area compared with chemical specification for refractory bricks, ceramics and paper.