A geochemical appraisal of some marble physiques in Ubo area and environs, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Twenty (20) marble samples from Ubo and environs were analyzed both geochemically and statistically with the aim of determining their industrial applicability. The samples were subjected to AAS analysis. Findings revealed a fairly high - very high values of CaO (52.98wt% - 82.18wt %) and low values of MgO (1.64wt%–6.95wt %). Other major oxide such as SiO₂, FeO/Fe₂O₃, Na₂O, K₂O, Al₂O₃ and MnO₂ had values below 2wt%. The multivariate analysis employed revealed a high correlation between CaO/Fe₂O₃, MgO/Al₂O₃ and FeO/CaO which is an indication of their fairly similar valencies and ionic values. The high lime content is connected to the shallow marine environment during deposition prior to metamorphism. The marbles are classified as the high calcite group and their industrial use range from the production of Portland cement to their use for ceramics.

Keywords: Marble, Chemical-composition, Metamorphism, Correlation