Petrochemical and Mineralogical Constraints on the Source and Processes of Uranium Mineralisation in the Granitoids of Zing-Monkin Area, Adamawa Massif, NE Nigeria

Journal Article · Thu Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Natural Resources Research (New York, N.Y.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S11053-011-9156-Y· OSTI ID:22043832

Orazulike, D M ^[1]; Ofulume, A B ^[2]; Mamman, Y D ^[3]

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1. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Geology Programme (Nigeria)
2. Federal University of Technology, Geosciences Department (Nigeria)
3. Federal University of Technology, Geology Department (Nigeria)

Zing-Monkin area, located in the northern part of Adamawa Massif, is underlain by extensive exposures of moderately radioactive granodiorites, anatectic migmatites, equigranular granites, porphyritic granites and highly radioactive fine-grained granites with minor pegmatites. Selected major and trace element petrochemical investigations of the rocks show that a progression from granodiorite through migmatite to granites is characterised by depletion of MgO, CaO, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3,} Sr, Ba, and Zr, and enrichment of SiO{sub 2} and Rb. This trend is associated with uranium enrichment and shows a chemical gradation from the more primitive granodiorite to the more evolved granites. Electron microprobe analysis shows that the uranium is content in uranothorite and in accessories, such as monazite, titanite, apatite, epidote and zircon. Based on petrochemical and mineralogical data, the more differentiated granitoids (e.g., fine-grained granite) bordering the Benue Trough are the immediate source of the uranium prospect in Bima Sandstone within the Trough. Uranium was derived from the granitoids by weathering and erosion. Transportation and subsequent interaction with organic matter within the Bima Sandstone led to precipitation of insoluble secondary uranium minerals in the Benue Trough.

• OSTI ID: 22043832
• Journal Information: Natural Resources Research (New York, N.Y.), Journal Name: Natural Resources Research (New York, N.Y.) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 20; ISSN 1520-7439
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
APATITES
CALCIUM OXIDES
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS
EROSION
GRANODIORITES
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
MONAZITES
NIGERIA
ORGANIC MATTER
PEGMATITES
PETROCHEMICALS
PRECIPITATION
SANDSTONES
SILICA
SILICON OXIDES
TITANITE
URANIUM
URANOTHORITE
WEATHERING
ZIRCON