Factor Analysis of Stream Sediment Geochemical Data from Onyami Drainage System, Southwestern Nigeria
- 1 Department of Geology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
- 2 Department of Applied Geology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
Abstract
An R-mode quartimax rotated factor matrix was applied to a statistical study of stream sediment geochemical data from Onyami drainage system within Igarra area in southwestern Nigeria. The area is underlain by the gneiss-migmatite complex, the low grade supracrustal schist belts and the Pan-African granitoids which intruded both the gneiss-migma tite complex and the supracrustal units. A four-factor model which accounts for 76.49% of the total variance of the stream sediment geochemical data was established. Factor 1 (Sc-Ga-V-La-Ni-Co-Ag-Bi-Sr-Pb-Hf-Nb-Cu-Cr) probably defines an underlying complex granitic lithology with contributions from mafic and ultramafic rocks. Factor 2 (Th-U) is attributable to a granitic lithology which reflects the parent rock as the influencing factor. Factor 3 (Mo-Nb-Zn) appears to define a minor sulphide mineralization associated with granitic rocks that intruded the schists and granite gneiss in the area. Factor 4 indicates the occurrence of gold and its pathfinder element , A s , in the study area. This inference is consistent with the reported occurrence and mining of gold during the colonial era in Dagbala, which lies within the On yami river catchment area.
- R. Saager and A. J. Sinclair, “Factor Analysis of Stream Sediment Geochemical Data from the Mount Nansen Area, Yukon Territory, Canada,” Mineralium Deposita, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1974, pp. 243-252.
- G. J. Woodsworth, “A Geochemical Drainage Survey and Its Implication for Metal Genesis, Central Coast Mountains, British Columbia,” Economic Geology, Vol. 66, No. 8, 1971, pp. 1104-1120. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.66.8.1104
- T. R. Ajayi, “Statistical Analysis of Stream Sediment Data from the Ife-Ilesa area of Southwestern Nigeria,” Nigeria Journal of Mining and Geology, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1981, pp. 539-548.
- B. O. Bammeke, “Computer-aided Factor Analysis of Stream Sediment Geochemical Data from Igbo-Ora Greenstone-Granite Complex, Southwestern Nigeria,” Nigeria Journal of Mining and Geology, Vol. 28, No. 1, 1992, pp. 113-117.
- A. A. Elueze, “Geological and Geochemical Studies in the Ilesha Schist Bels in Relation to Gold Mineralization,” M. Phil. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 1977.
- M. Woakes, M. A. Rahaman and A. C. Ajibade, “Some Metallogenic Features of the Nigerian Basement,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 5, 1987, pp. 54-64.
- J. A. Adekoya, O. O. Kehinde-Phillips and A. M. Odukoya, “Geological Distribution of Mineral Resources in Southwestern Nigeria,” In: A. A. Elueze, Ed., Prospects for Investment in Mineral Resources of Southwestern Nigeria, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Kaduna South, 2003, pp. 1-13.
- NGSA, “Geological Map of Nigeria,” Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, 2006.
- I. B. Odeyemi, “Lithostratigraphy and Structural Relationships of the Upper Precambrian Metasediments in Igarra Area, Southwestern Nigeria,” In: P. O. Oluyide, W. O. Mbonu, A. E. O. Ogezi, I. G. Egbuniwe, A. C. Ajibade and A. O. Umeji, Eds., Precambrian Geology of Nigeria, Geological Survey of Nigeria Publication, Kaduna South, 1988, pp. 111-125.
- M. Howarth and M. Thompson, “Duplicate Analysis in Geochemical Practice Part 1. Theoretical Approach and Estimation of Analytical Reproducibility,” Analyst 101, 1978, pp. 690-698.
- I. B. Odeyemi, “On the Petrology of the Basement Rocks of Igarra, Former Bendel State of Nigeria,” Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 1977.
- A. W. Rose, H. E. Hawkes, and J. S. Webb, “Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration,” Academic Press, London, 1979.
- J. A. Adekoya, “Gold Deposits in Nigeria: A Summary of Available Information (Special Report),” Unpublished Geological Survey of Nigeria Report, Kaduna South, 1978.