Petrography and Heavy Mineral Studies of Lokoja Formation along Mount Patti North Central Nigeria: Implication for provenance Studies

Abstract

The Southern Bida basin consists of the Lokoja, Patti, and Agbaja formations. This study focuses on the Lokoja formation and samples gotten were used for petrography and heavy mineral analysis. Results of all analytical techniques employed in the study are presented here. A critical assessment of each set of results and their integration aided the proper interpretation and useful discussion. This study focuses on the Southern Bida Basin, specifically the Lokoja Formation because the exposures of Patti are poorly exposed. Outcrop samples were obtained from the exposed sections of the study area in Kabawa and Robinson street respectively. Different features were observed, such as the thickness of the exposure, the nature of the lithology, color, and sedimentary structures. The dominant lithologies in the area include sandstone and ironstone. The sandy facies are generally arkosic characterized by poorly sorted very fine to conglomeratic sandstone sequence. Laboratory investigations of samples included petrography and heavy mineral analysis. Sandstone samples were collected from the study area. Each sample was divided into two parts: the first part for petrographic studies and the second part for heavy mineral analysis.