Geochemical studies of sandstones from the three lithostratigraphic successions in the southern Benue Trough of Nigeria were undertaken for a geochemical characterization of the sandstones, and to assess their strati-...Geochemical studies of sandstones from the three lithostratigraphic successions in the southern Benue Trough of Nigeria were undertaken for a geochemical characterization of the sandstones, and to assess their strati-graphic and source evolution. Major and trace elements data were obtained from outcrop sandstone samples. The SiO2/Al2O3, Fe2O3/K2O ratios and CaO contents have been used to characterize the Cretaceous sandstones into Al-rich and high and low Fe2O3/K2O ratio sandstones. Results indicate that there are geochemical features that display stratigraphic trends across the succession from the Asu River Group, Eze-Aku Group to the proto-Niger Delta succession which may imply a discontinuous evolution from different source terrains of Precambrian and Mesozoic ages that supplied the sediments. The Asu River Group sandstones have lower SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and higher MgO; the Eze-Aku sandstones have higher TiO2, CaO, alkalis and lower MgO while the proto-Niger Delta sandstones have higher SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and lower alkalis and CaO. These discontinuities signify the influence of tectonic impulses that af- fected the southern Benue Trough during the Cretaceous time. Changes in ratios of TiO2/Al2O3, Fe2O3, Cr and Zr suggest an increasingly mafic contribution to the depositional basin with time. The chemical index of alteration increases with time, possibly suggesting that a more intense weathering regime in the hinterland developed with time.展开更多
This paper deals with the regional and structural framework of the Cretaceous rocks in the Afikpo Basin located in the southeastern part of the Lower Benue Trough. Results from regional tectonics are presented togethe...This paper deals with the regional and structural framework of the Cretaceous rocks in the Afikpo Basin located in the southeastern part of the Lower Benue Trough. Results from regional tectonics are presented together with those of the microtectonic analysis of microfaults in the Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama area in the basin. The Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama ridge at the north-central part of the basin marks the boundary between the Late Cenomanian-Turonian-Conianian sediments and the Campanian-Maastrichtian sandstones. This ridge trends N45oE on average and is faulted in three main directions, namely: (1) N-S normal faults; (2) NE-SW strike-slip faults; and (3) NW-SE strike-slip faults. The faulted rocks along these brittle discontinuities are mainly cataclastics with internal fracture cleavage and sigmoidal quartz mosaics that are reminiscent of extensional deformation. The cataclasites often bear slickenside striations. The NE-SW and NW-SE strike-slip faults are the results of the youngest brittle events on the Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama ridge. These faults were reactivated after deposition of the Campanian-Maastrichtain sediments (post-depositional faults) and, therefore, are post-Maastrichtain. Microfault analysis of these fault trends suggests an extensional regime that prevailed in the Lower Benue Trough. These results are of significance because this event is least poorly understood and less documented in contrast to the Cenomanian and Santonian events that affected the older Cretaceous strata in this region.展开更多
文摘Geochemical studies of sandstones from the three lithostratigraphic successions in the southern Benue Trough of Nigeria were undertaken for a geochemical characterization of the sandstones, and to assess their strati-graphic and source evolution. Major and trace elements data were obtained from outcrop sandstone samples. The SiO2/Al2O3, Fe2O3/K2O ratios and CaO contents have been used to characterize the Cretaceous sandstones into Al-rich and high and low Fe2O3/K2O ratio sandstones. Results indicate that there are geochemical features that display stratigraphic trends across the succession from the Asu River Group, Eze-Aku Group to the proto-Niger Delta succession which may imply a discontinuous evolution from different source terrains of Precambrian and Mesozoic ages that supplied the sediments. The Asu River Group sandstones have lower SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and higher MgO; the Eze-Aku sandstones have higher TiO2, CaO, alkalis and lower MgO while the proto-Niger Delta sandstones have higher SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and lower alkalis and CaO. These discontinuities signify the influence of tectonic impulses that af- fected the southern Benue Trough during the Cretaceous time. Changes in ratios of TiO2/Al2O3, Fe2O3, Cr and Zr suggest an increasingly mafic contribution to the depositional basin with time. The chemical index of alteration increases with time, possibly suggesting that a more intense weathering regime in the hinterland developed with time.
文摘This paper deals with the regional and structural framework of the Cretaceous rocks in the Afikpo Basin located in the southeastern part of the Lower Benue Trough. Results from regional tectonics are presented together with those of the microtectonic analysis of microfaults in the Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama area in the basin. The Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama ridge at the north-central part of the basin marks the boundary between the Late Cenomanian-Turonian-Conianian sediments and the Campanian-Maastrichtian sandstones. This ridge trends N45oE on average and is faulted in three main directions, namely: (1) N-S normal faults; (2) NE-SW strike-slip faults; and (3) NW-SE strike-slip faults. The faulted rocks along these brittle discontinuities are mainly cataclastics with internal fracture cleavage and sigmoidal quartz mosaics that are reminiscent of extensional deformation. The cataclasites often bear slickenside striations. The NE-SW and NW-SE strike-slip faults are the results of the youngest brittle events on the Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama ridge. These faults were reactivated after deposition of the Campanian-Maastrichtain sediments (post-depositional faults) and, therefore, are post-Maastrichtain. Microfault analysis of these fault trends suggests an extensional regime that prevailed in the Lower Benue Trough. These results are of significance because this event is least poorly understood and less documented in contrast to the Cenomanian and Santonian events that affected the older Cretaceous strata in this region.
