Patti formation shales at Agbaja Plateau: A geochemical window into the provenance and tectonic setting history of the Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria

Olusola Ojo; Suraju Adepoju; Ayodeji Awe; Kehinde Alalade

doi:10.46481/jnsps.2025.2376

Authors

Olusola J. Ojo
[email protected]

Department of Geology, Federal University, P.M.B. 373, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria
Suraju A. Adepoju
Department of Geology and Mineral Science, Kwara State University, P.M.B. 1530, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria
Ayodeji Awe
Department of Geology, Federal University, P.M.B. 373, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria
Kehinde A. Alalade
Department of Geology, Federal University, P.M.B. 373, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

Keywords:

Shales, Geochemistry, Provenance, Bida, Patti

Abstract

Agbaja Plateau is one of the mesas that dotted the topography of north centrally located Bida Basin. Seventeen shale samples from the exposed Maastrichtian Patti Formation at Agbaja Plateau were analyzed using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductive coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICPMS) with the aim of unroofing the provenance, weathering and paleotectonic history of the basin. The provenance-sensitive elemental ratios; Al₂O₃/TiO₂, Cr/Ni, Th/Cr, La/Sc, Th/Sc and Th/Co and the binary diagrams of Al₂O₃vs TiO₂, TiO₂vs Zr, reveal that the shales originated from felsic source rock. The Light rare earth elements (LREE) enrichment, Flat heavy rare earth elements (HREE) model, a negative Eu anomaly and positive Ce anomalies, and La/Yb-REE bivariate diagram also reveal sediments derivation predominantly from felsic protolith. The plots of SiO₂versus K₂O/Na₂Oand Ti/Zr versus La/Sc, and Ti/Zr–La/Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10, Th–Co-Zr/10, and La-Th-Sc discrimination diagrams show that the shales plotted in the passive margin. The Zr/Sc and Th/Sc ratios and low ICV values show first cycle recycling with heavy mineral enrichment. LREE, with flat HREE distributions, as well as the normalized Gd/Yb and La/Yb enrichment indicate similarity with the post-Archean Australian Average Shales (PAAS). The high values of chemical index of weathering, chemical index of alteration and Plagioclase Index of Alteration indicate that the protolith experienced strong chemical weathering. In conclusion, the study suggest that the investigated shales were derived mainly from felsic source rocks and deposited in passive margin setting similar to the adjacent sedimentary basins in Nigeria and west Africa.

Author Biography

Kehinde A. Alalade

Student

Department of Geology

Dimensions

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