Application of airborne radiometric method in geologic mapping of Malufashi area and Environs, Northwestern Nigeria

  • Authors

    • Ibe Stephen Onyejiuwaka Department of Physics, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
    • Nwokeabia Charity Nkiru
    2020-09-30
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijag.v8i2.31071
  • Aeroradiometric, Geologic Mapping, Hydrothermal Alteration, Quartzite Rich Schist, Gold Mineralization.

  • Abstract

    In this study, the airborne radiometric data over Masufashi Area of Katsina State and Environs, Northwestern Nigeria were acquired, processed and gridded to generate the concentration maps of percentage Potassium, equivalent Thorium and equivalent Uranium in order to carry out the geologic mapping of the area. Additionally, the abundance ratios, U/Th, U/K and Th/K and the ternary images of the three radioactive elements were produced. The images obtained from the radiometric data showed that the study area comprises five major rock types, based on their variation in the concentration of the three radioactive elements. The actual extent, boundary and distribution of the rock units within the study area were defined; hydrothermal alteration zones were mapped. The altered zones were noted to be associated with mineralization in the quartzite rich schist formation. The interpretation also proved valuable in demarcating some rock types with different properties. The delineated geology and hydrothermally altered zones led to the identification of nine zones with the potentials of gold mineralization. The delineated structures aided the design of the geologic map of the study area. This research showed the value added by airborne geophysics in geologic mapping and recommends the analysis of airborne data as a major phase during reconnaissance survey, prior to geologic mapping.

     

     

  • References

    1. [1] Abaa, S.I. (1983). The Structure and Petrography of Alkaline Rocks of the Mada Younger Granite Complex, Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 3, pp. 107–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(85)90029-6.

      [2] Airo, M.L. (2002). Aeromagnetic and Aeroradiometric Response to Hydrothermal Alteration. Surveys in Geophysics, vol. 23, pp. 273–302. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015556614694.

      [3] Black, R. (1980). Precambrian of West Africa. Episodes 4, pp. 3–8. https://doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/1980/v3i4/001.

      [4] Boadi, B. Wemegah, D.D. and Preko, K. (2013). Geological and Structural Interpretation of the Konongo area of the Ashanti Gold Belt of Ghana from Aeromagnetic and Radiometric Data. International Research Journal Geology and Mining (IRJGM) (2276-6618) vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 124-135.

      [5] Boyle, R.W. (1979). The Geochemistry of Gold and its Deposits Together with a Chapter on Geochemical Prospecting for the Element. Geological Survey Canada, Bulletin 280, pp. 1 - 584. https://doi.org/10.4095/105577.

      [6] Brempong, F., Wemegah, D., Preko, K., Armah, T., Boadi, B., Menyeh, A., Oppong, I., Quarshie, M., Aning, A., Asare, V. and Noye, R. (2019). Interpretation of Geological Structures Hosting Potential Gold Deposits in the Konongo Gold Mine Using Airborne Magnetic, Electromagnetic and Radiometric Datasets. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, vol. 7, pp. 203-225. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2019.76016.

      [7] Burke, K.C. and Dewey, J.F. (1972). Orogeny in Africa. In: T. F. J. Dessauvagie and A.J. Whiteman (eds), Africa geology, University of Ibadan Press, Ibadan Nigeria, pp. 583–608.

      [8] Dada, S.S. (2006). Proterozoic evolution of Nigeria, In: O. Oshi (ed), The Basement Complex of Nigeria and its Mineral Resources. A Tribute to Prof. M. A. O. Rahaman, Akin Jinad & Co. Ibadan, Nigeria, pp. 29–44.

      [9] Dickson, B.L. and Scott, K.M. (1997). Interpretation of Aerial Gamma-Ray Surveys-Adding the Geochemical Factors. AGSO Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics, vol. 17, pp. 187-200.

      [10] Gandu, A.H., Ojo, S.B. and Ajakaiye, D.E. (1986). A Gravity Study of the Precambrian Rocks in the Malumfashi Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Tectonophysics vol. 126, pp. 181–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(86)90227-1.

      [11] Garba, M.L. and Schoeneich, K. (2003). A Preliminary Report on the Hydrogeology of Kubanni Dam. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 75 – 80.

      [12] Hansen, O.A. (1980). Radiometrics. In: Van blaricom, Richard, (ed) Practical Geophysics for the Exploration Geologist, pp. 1-38.

      [13] Hoover, D.B. and Pierce, H.A. (1990). Annotated Bibliography of Gamma-Ray Methods Applied to Gold Exploration. U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 90-203, pp. 23. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr90203.

      [14] Hoover, D.B., Heran, W.D. and Hill, P.L. (1992). The Geophysical Expression of Selected Mineral Deposit Models. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File report 92–557, pp. 129.

      [15] Hore, P.N. (1970). Weather and Climate in Zaria and its Region. In: Mortimore. M. J. (ed.). Zaria and Its Region. Occasional Paper No. 4. Published by Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, pp. 41 – 54.

      [16] Ibe, S.O. (2016). Structures Favourable for Valley Formation in Basement Terrain. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Germany.

      [17] Ibe, S.O., Egwuonwu, G.N. and Osazuwa, I.B. (2012). Delineation of All-Season-Charged Groundwater Reservoir from Two Valleys, Zaria Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, vol. 20, no. 11, pp. 1 - 9.

      [18] ICRU. (1994). Gamma ray Spectrometry in the Environment. ICRU Report 53. International Commission on Radiation Units And Measurements, Bethesda, USA.

      [19] Kearey, P., Brooks, M. and Hill, I. (2006). An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration. Blackwell Scientific Publications. ELBS edition.

      [20] Manu, J. (1993). Gold Deposits of Birimian Greenstone Belts in Ghana: Hydrothermal Alteration and Thermodynamics. Verlag Mainz, Wissenchaftsverlag, Aachen Herstellung: Fotodruck Mainz GmbH Susterfeldstr, 83. 52072 Aachen.

      [21] Moxham, R.M. (1963). Natural Radioactivity in Washington Country, Maryland. Geophysics, vol. 28, pp. 262-272. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1439174.

      [22] Okeyode, I.C., Olurin, O.T., Ganiyu, S.A. and Olowofela, J.A. (2018). High Resolution Airborne Radiometric and Magnetic Studies of Ilesha and its Environs, Southwestern Nigeria. Original scientific paper, https://doi.org/10.2478/rmzmag-2018-0020.

      [23] Onugba, A. (1979). Detailed Resistivity and Seismic Refraction Survey of Nasari/Kafur Kimberlite Pipe Area, Near Malumfashi Kaduna State. Unpublished M.Sc.Thesis. Physics Depertment., Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

      [24] Olayinka, A.I. (1992). Geophysical Siting of Boreholes in Crystalline Basement Areas of Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 14, pp. 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(92)90097-V.

      [25] Ostrovskiy, E.A. (1975). Antagonism of Radioactive Elements in Wellrock Alteration Fields and its use in Aerogamma Spectrometric Prospecting. International Geological Review, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 461–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206817509471687.

      [26] Portnov, A.M. (1987). Specialization of Rocks toward Potassium and Thorium in Relation to Mineralization. International Geological Review, vol. 29, pp. 326–344. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206818709466149.

      [27] Rahaman, M.A. (1988). Recent Advances in Study of the Basement Complex of Nigeria Precambrian Geology of Nigeria. In: P. O. Oluyide, et al., (eds) Precambrian Geology of Nigeria, Geological Survey of Nigeria Publication, Kaduna, Nigeria, pp.11-43.

      [28] Silva, A.M., Pires, A.C., McCafferty, A., Moraes, R. and Xia, H. (2003). Application of Airborne Geophysical Data to Mineral Exploration in the Uneven Exposed Terrains of the Rio Das Velhas Greenstone Belt. Revista Brasileira de Geociências, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 17-28. https://doi.org/10.25249/0375-7536.200333S21728.

      [29] Takyi-Kyeremeh, K., Wemegah, D.D., Preko, K. and Menyeh, A. (2019). Integrated Geophysical Study of the Subika Gold Deposit in the Sefwi Belt, Ghana. Cogent Geoscience, vol. 5, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312041.2019.1585406.

      [30] Urquhart, W.E.S. (2013). Geophysical Airborne Survey: Radiometrics - Gamma-Ray Spectrometry. GeoExplo Ltda.

      [31] Wollenberg, H.A. and Smith, A.R. (1987). Radiogenic Heat Production of Crustal Rocks – An Assessment Based on Geochemical Data. Geophysical Research Letters vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 295-298. https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i003p00295.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Stephen Onyejiuwaka, I., & Charity Nkiru, N. (2020). Application of airborne radiometric method in geologic mapping of Malufashi area and Environs, Northwestern Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Geosciences, 8(2), 179-185. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijag.v8i2.31071

    Received date: 2020-08-10

    Accepted date: 2020-09-17

    Published date: 2020-09-30