Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria: Reconnaissance assessments

Segun A. Akinyemi; Bemgba B. Nyakuma; Olajide F. Adebayo; Ayobami T. Kayode; Aliyu Jauro; Olusola A. OlaOlorun; Adeyinka O. Aturamu; Henry Y. Madukwe; Adebanji K. Adegoke; Tuan Amran T. Abdullah; Wilson M. Gitari; Rabelani Mudzielwana; Shahadev Rabha; Binoy K. Saikia; James C. Hower

doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104167

Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria: Reconnaissance assessments

Segun A. Akinyemi, Bemgba B. Nyakuma, Olajide F. Adebayo, Ayobami T. Kayode, Aliyu Jauro, Olusola A. OlaOlorun, Adeyinka O. Aturamu, Henry Y. Madukwe, Adebanji K. Adegoke, Tuan Amran T. Abdullah, Wilson M. Gitari, Rabelani Mudzielwana, Shahadev Rabha, Binoy K. Saikia, James C. Hower

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selected coal samples from the Benue Trough Basin (Nigeria) were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and all the techniques used. The main minerals detected are clays (e.g., kaolinite and illite), quartz, feldspar, hematite and magnetite with traces of calcite, siderite, dolomite, orthoclase and graphite. The authigenic and detrital origins of the clay minerals detected were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The XPS spectra identified elements similar to the mineral phases observed in the XRD spectra. The contents of Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O₃, K₂O, Na₂O and P₂O₅ were below the values reported for US and Chinese coals. The elemental indexes (e.g. Al₂O₃/TiO₂, Co/Th vs. La/Sc, Cr/Th vs. Sc/Th) showed that the influence of intermediate-mafic materials derived from source-region sediments is negligible. The Ni/Co ratio showed that the coal forming marsh experienced comparatively mild redox conditions. The ratios of V/(V + Ni), Co/Ni, and Mo/Ni revealed marginal or non-existent marine effects. Trace metals ratios such as V/Ni, Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu and V/Zn showed evidence of a large degree of freshwater environment mainly in a humid climate. Maceral composition reflects fluctuations of dry and wet conditions in the forest swamp in a humid environment with an entry of marginal marine system and good plant tissue preservation. The rare earth elements (REE) in the coal samples studied are characterized by light-REE enrichment. Thermal decomposition resulted in the range of residual mass (R_M = 33.67%–61.28%) and mass losses (M_L = 38.72% - 66.33%), which attributed to the drying, devolatilization, and coke formation. Thermal reactivity followed the sample order A-5 > A-1 > A-6, which indicates A-5 is more thermally reactive. The results indicate that the coal samples could be exploited for electric power generation.

Original language	English
Article number	104167
Journal	Journal of African Earth Sciences
Volume	178
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104167
State	Published - Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Lab., of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for the TGA experiments. We are also grateful to the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (India) for assistance with XPS analysis. The Research Grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET-Fund) of Nigeria is gratefully acknowledged.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Keywords

Coal
Geochemistry
Mineral
Thermogravimetry
Trace elements

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geology
Earth-Surface Processes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104167

Cite this

Akinyemi, S. A., Nyakuma, B. B., Adebayo, O. F., Kayode, A. T., Jauro, A., OlaOlorun, O. A., Aturamu, A. O., Madukwe, H. Y., Adegoke, A. K., Abdullah, T. A. T., Gitari, W. M., Mudzielwana, R., Rabha, S., Saikia, B. K., & Hower, J. C. (2021). Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria: Reconnaissance assessments. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 178, [104167]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104167

@article{847a11aad53b4ce2bdfbb0b06b5f4e0d,

title = "Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria: Reconnaissance assessments",

abstract = "Selected coal samples from the Benue Trough Basin (Nigeria) were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and all the techniques used. The main minerals detected are clays (e.g., kaolinite and illite), quartz, feldspar, hematite and magnetite with traces of calcite, siderite, dolomite, orthoclase and graphite. The authigenic and detrital origins of the clay minerals detected were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The XPS spectra identified elements similar to the mineral phases observed in the XRD spectra. The contents of Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O and P2O5 were below the values reported for US and Chinese coals. The elemental indexes (e.g. Al2O3/TiO2, Co/Th vs. La/Sc, Cr/Th vs. Sc/Th) showed that the influence of intermediate-mafic materials derived from source-region sediments is negligible. The Ni/Co ratio showed that the coal forming marsh experienced comparatively mild redox conditions. The ratios of V/(V + Ni), Co/Ni, and Mo/Ni revealed marginal or non-existent marine effects. Trace metals ratios such as V/Ni, Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu and V/Zn showed evidence of a large degree of freshwater environment mainly in a humid climate. Maceral composition reflects fluctuations of dry and wet conditions in the forest swamp in a humid environment with an entry of marginal marine system and good plant tissue preservation. The rare earth elements (REE) in the coal samples studied are characterized by light-REE enrichment. Thermal decomposition resulted in the range of residual mass (RM = 33.67%–61.28%) and mass losses (ML = 38.72% - 66.33%), which attributed to the drying, devolatilization, and coke formation. Thermal reactivity followed the sample order A-5 > A-1 > A-6, which indicates A-5 is more thermally reactive. The results indicate that the coal samples could be exploited for electric power generation.",

keywords = "Coal, Geochemistry, Mineral, Thermogravimetry, Trace elements",

author = "Akinyemi, {Segun A.} and Nyakuma, {Bemgba B.} and Adebayo, {Olajide F.} and Kayode, {Ayobami T.} and Aliyu Jauro and OlaOlorun, {Olusola A.} and Aturamu, {Adeyinka O.} and Madukwe, {Henry Y.} and Adegoke, {Adebanji K.} and Abdullah, {Tuan Amran T.} and Gitari, {Wilson M.} and Rabelani Mudzielwana and Shahadev Rabha and Saikia, {Binoy K.} and Hower, {James C.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors acknowledge Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Lab., of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for the TGA experiments. We are also grateful to the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (India) for assistance with XPS analysis. The Research Grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET-Fund) of Nigeria is gratefully acknowledged. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021",

year = "2021",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104167",

language = "English",

volume = "178",

}

Akinyemi, SA, Nyakuma, BB, Adebayo, OF, Kayode, AT, Jauro, A, OlaOlorun, OA, Aturamu, AO, Madukwe, HY, Adegoke, AK, Abdullah, TAT, Gitari, WM, Mudzielwana, R, Rabha, S, Saikia, BK & Hower, JC 2021, 'Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria: Reconnaissance assessments', Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 178, 104167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104167

TY - JOUR

T1 - Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria

T2 - Reconnaissance assessments

AU - Akinyemi, Segun A.

AU - Nyakuma, Bemgba B.

AU - Adebayo, Olajide F.

AU - Kayode, Ayobami T.

AU - Jauro, Aliyu

AU - OlaOlorun, Olusola A.

AU - Aturamu, Adeyinka O.

AU - Madukwe, Henry Y.

AU - Adegoke, Adebanji K.

AU - Abdullah, Tuan Amran T.

AU - Gitari, Wilson M.

AU - Mudzielwana, Rabelani

AU - Rabha, Shahadev

AU - Saikia, Binoy K.

AU - Hower, James C.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors acknowledge Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Lab., of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for the TGA experiments. We are also grateful to the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (India) for assistance with XPS analysis. The Research Grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET-Fund) of Nigeria is gratefully acknowledged. Publisher Copyright: © 2021

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - Selected coal samples from the Benue Trough Basin (Nigeria) were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and all the techniques used. The main minerals detected are clays (e.g., kaolinite and illite), quartz, feldspar, hematite and magnetite with traces of calcite, siderite, dolomite, orthoclase and graphite. The authigenic and detrital origins of the clay minerals detected were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The XPS spectra identified elements similar to the mineral phases observed in the XRD spectra. The contents of Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O and P2O5 were below the values reported for US and Chinese coals. The elemental indexes (e.g. Al2O3/TiO2, Co/Th vs. La/Sc, Cr/Th vs. Sc/Th) showed that the influence of intermediate-mafic materials derived from source-region sediments is negligible. The Ni/Co ratio showed that the coal forming marsh experienced comparatively mild redox conditions. The ratios of V/(V + Ni), Co/Ni, and Mo/Ni revealed marginal or non-existent marine effects. Trace metals ratios such as V/Ni, Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu and V/Zn showed evidence of a large degree of freshwater environment mainly in a humid climate. Maceral composition reflects fluctuations of dry and wet conditions in the forest swamp in a humid environment with an entry of marginal marine system and good plant tissue preservation. The rare earth elements (REE) in the coal samples studied are characterized by light-REE enrichment. Thermal decomposition resulted in the range of residual mass (RM = 33.67%–61.28%) and mass losses (ML = 38.72% - 66.33%), which attributed to the drying, devolatilization, and coke formation. Thermal reactivity followed the sample order A-5 > A-1 > A-6, which indicates A-5 is more thermally reactive. The results indicate that the coal samples could be exploited for electric power generation.

AB - Selected coal samples from the Benue Trough Basin (Nigeria) were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and all the techniques used. The main minerals detected are clays (e.g., kaolinite and illite), quartz, feldspar, hematite and magnetite with traces of calcite, siderite, dolomite, orthoclase and graphite. The authigenic and detrital origins of the clay minerals detected were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The XPS spectra identified elements similar to the mineral phases observed in the XRD spectra. The contents of Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O and P2O5 were below the values reported for US and Chinese coals. The elemental indexes (e.g. Al2O3/TiO2, Co/Th vs. La/Sc, Cr/Th vs. Sc/Th) showed that the influence of intermediate-mafic materials derived from source-region sediments is negligible. The Ni/Co ratio showed that the coal forming marsh experienced comparatively mild redox conditions. The ratios of V/(V + Ni), Co/Ni, and Mo/Ni revealed marginal or non-existent marine effects. Trace metals ratios such as V/Ni, Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu and V/Zn showed evidence of a large degree of freshwater environment mainly in a humid climate. Maceral composition reflects fluctuations of dry and wet conditions in the forest swamp in a humid environment with an entry of marginal marine system and good plant tissue preservation. The rare earth elements (REE) in the coal samples studied are characterized by light-REE enrichment. Thermal decomposition resulted in the range of residual mass (RM = 33.67%–61.28%) and mass losses (ML = 38.72% - 66.33%), which attributed to the drying, devolatilization, and coke formation. Thermal reactivity followed the sample order A-5 > A-1 > A-6, which indicates A-5 is more thermally reactive. The results indicate that the coal samples could be exploited for electric power generation.

KW - Coal

KW - Geochemistry

KW - Mineral

KW - Thermogravimetry

KW - Trace elements

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AN - SCOPUS:85102049770

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Geochemistry, mineralogy and thermal analyses of Cretaceous coals from the Benue Trough basin Nigeria: Reconnaissance assessments

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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