摘要
The Cretaceous Mamu Formation coal samples located within the Northern Anambra Basin were collected, analysed and interpreted using multivariate statistical approach to determine the major, trace and rare elements association with a view to determine the source of the terrestrial rocks, palaeoweathering/climatic conditions and tectonic setting. The dominant oxides such as SiO2, A12O3, Fe2O3, TiO2 and CaO were identified in the coal to suggest terrigenous origin. The ratio of SiO2/Al2O3 of 4.8 suggests that the coal was formed from low land peat associated with freshwater continental marine or blackish water with low salinity as indicated by Sr/Ba and CaO + MgO/K2O + Na2。ratios. The major oxides also revealed stable condition of deposition, low degree of tectonic setting but constant subsidence in the basin. The condition of deposition was acidic in nature as indicated by TiO2/Zr plot. Based on the abundance of Zr, Zn, Ba, Ni, Co, Sr, V, and Y, moderate salinity, sub-oxic to oxic bottom water condition was prevalent and also indication of marine influence. Based on the ratios of La/Yb;La/Sm and Gd/Yb, LREE has higher enrichment than HREE. Humid climatic conditions were observed at the coal formation stage while weak laterization to kaolinization was also evidence.
