<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This study assessed the physico-chemical status of sed­iments in the Agbede Wetlands with the aim to create a reference archive for the Edo North catchment and to further identify the characteristics mostly influenced by the natural and anthropogenic activities going on at the watershed. Nutrients, zinc, nickel and lead were identified to be mostly of anthropogenic origin, while alkali metals and alkaline earth metals were from both anthropogenic and natural sources. The clustering of stations 1 and 4 indicates that the sediment quality in the lentic systems was not completely excluded from the lotic system, suggesting that principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) techniques are invaluable tools for identifying factors influencing the sediment quality. The mean values of the particle size distribution were in the following order across the ecosystems: sand (61.86-80.53%) > silt (9.75-30.34%) > clay (7.83-13.89%). The contamination of the water bodies was primarily derived from agricultural run-offs and through geochemical weathering of the top soils. Therefore, our analysis indicates that the concentra­tions of cations, anions and nutrients in the sediments of the lotic and lentic ecosystems in Agbede Wetlands are not at an alarming level.</abstract>

Physico-Chemical Trends in the Sediments of Agbede Wetlands, Nigeria

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The increased global demand for and price of rare earth elements (REEs) has led to intensive search for them in rocks of the upper continental crust all over the world. This study is aimed at characterising the granitoids at Okeho within Southwestern Nigeria using geochemical data and assessing their potential for REE enrichment. Ten representative rock samples of the Proterozoic intrusives, syenite and granodiorite, were studied for their mineralogical and elemental compositions. Elemental concentrations were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Average major oxide concentrations revealed SiO2 (57.53 wt. %), Al2O3 (13.25 wt. %), CaO (5.05 wt. %), and MgO (5.59 wt. %) for the syenite and SiO2 (62.39 wt. %), Al2O3 (14.98 wt. %), CaO (3.67 wt. %), and MgO (3.25 wt. %) for the granodiorite. Total Alkali–Silica (TAS), Aluminum Saturation Index (ASI), and La/10-Y/15-Nb/8 plots discriminated the granitoids as metaluminous monzonite-syenite and peraluminous diorite-granodiorite. Average total REE concentrations in the syenite (625.06 ppm) and porphyritic-granodiorite (364.51 ppm) were above values reported for the granites in some mines in Jiangxi Province, Southern China.
</abstract>

Geology and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry of Magnesian Granitoids Within Proterozoic Schist Belt of Southwest Nigeria

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One of the vital roles played by both magnetic and radiometric surveys is identification and delineation of mineral deposits. The study area, Imeri, which lies between latitude 6 °45′N to 6 °48′N and longitude 3 °58′E to 3 °59′E, has been established for bitumen deposition. The responses of mineral deposition to different geophysical methods differ from place to place due to variation in climate and bedrock composition. In this study, two geophysical techniques—magnetic and radiometric methods—were adopted to investigate the magnetic anomalous and radiometric flux responses around the bitumen deposit area. The study also intends to establish a model-like relation between the radiometric parameters and the magnetic anomaly observed. Statistical inferences for the established relations were deduced using the t-test at 0.05 significance levels. The result obtained showed that uranium and thorium concentration responses along the two traverses were in good agreement with that of magnetic intensity. The claim was accounted for based on the correlation result, which ranged between 74%–79% and 84%–89% for uranium and thorium, respectively, with magnetic intensity along the two traverses. In order to validate the claim, the t-test was used. The result obtained showed that there exists no significant difference between the two geophysical methods; the result for the t-test has critical value > calculated value (<italic>p</italic>-values > 0.05). Based on this, the empirical relations were deduced for magnetic anomalous response and radiometric parameters. This work has therefore proven the two techniques to be versatile for bitumen prospecting in the study area.
</abstract>

Empirical Relation Between Magnetic and Radiometric Survey in Bitumen Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

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This paper discusses waste recycling as a compound in building materials. Foundry sand-based self-compacting concretes (SCC) were investigated to see the possibility of recycling foundry sand wastes (FSW). FSW was used as a cementitious addition (by partial cement replacement: 10%, 20% and 30% wt. cement), then as a fine aggregate (by partial sand substitution: 10%, 30% and 50% wt. sand). For this, an experimental study was carried out to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of SCC at fresh and hardened states. The results show that the FSW also played the role of a filling material, which slightly improved the compactness of the concrete while saving part of the cement. According to the results of the non-destructive tests by ultrasonic tests, all concretes gave a dynamic modulus of elasticity that was almost identical and which was greater than 36 GPa. Compressive strength value slightly reduced with the cement substitution by the crushed foundry sand waste. However, up to 30% FSW, the compressive strength recorded after 28 days was around 30 MPa. A slight decrease in the fluidity of concrete at 10% substitution of natural sand by FSW was observed. After up to 30% replacement of sand by foundry sand wastes, the fluidity of the concrete was improved. The improvement in the fluidity of the concretes was perhaps due to the fineness of the natural sand and that of the foundry sand. When used as up to 50% of sand substitution, FSW can be used as a fine aggregate for concretes without affecting the essential proprieties of concretes.
</abstract>

University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene

Processes Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology

M’Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes

Recycling of foundry sand wastes in self-compacting concretes: Use as cementitious materials and fine aggregates

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The pyroxene gneiss which forms part of the basement cover in southeast Nigeria is a coarse-grained weakly foliated rock that has experienced high-grade metamorphism and anatexis. Electron microprobe data obtained from samples of this pyroxene-bearing gneiss confirm that the essential minerals are plagioclase (andesine, An30 – 37), orthopyroxene (hypersthene, En55.3 – 61.2, Wo1.0 – 2.6, Fs36.3 – 43.7), and clinopyroxene (augite, En39.7 –42.3, Wo42.0 – 45.1, Fs14.2 – 17.0). This assemblage is a typical granulite facies mineralogy produced by igneous rocks with intermediate to mafic composition that have been metamorphosed at medium pressure. Other minerals are calcic amphibole (XMg = 0.56–0.59), biotite (XMg = 0.58–0.69), orthoclase, and quartz. Orthoclase occurs mainly in leucocratic bands and clinopyroxene absent samples and may have resulted from dehydration reaction and thus dissolved in the melt phase. Fe-Ti oxides of ilmenite, hematite, and magnetite occur as accessory minerals, giving the imprint of metamorphism under oxidizing conditions. The presence of exsolved titanohematite in ilmenite indicates retrogressive metamorphism.
</abstract>

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike

Mineral Chemistry of Pyroxene Gneiss in Obudu, SE Nigeria, and Its Petrological Significance

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This paper discusses the recycling of glass waste as a compound in the production of ceramic tiles. The present study aims to investigate the effects of glass waste (with two different granulometries) on the physical and mechanical properties of ceramic tiles, in order to demonstrate their suitability for the production of ceramic materials. A series of ceramic tiles was prepared based on bentonite (B) by adding 70, 65, and 60 wt% glass wastes (GW1 and GW2 with two different granulometries) into the batch composition. The ceramic tiles were sintered at a constant temperature of 900 °C following the same production protocol. The physical-mechanical properties and chemical durability of all ceramic tiles produced were evaluated. The results show that ceramic tiles can be produced from a basic mixture of 35% bentonite and 65% glass waste, with good physical, mechanical, and thermal properties (the local Algerian bentonite is considered a clay binder and has excellent plasticity).
</abstract>

Mechanical Engineering Department, Research Unit

Materials, Processes and Environment, M’hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes

M’hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes

Using glass wastes and bentonite to produce a new ceramic tile

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Materials and Geoenvironment

 Description:  Old title: Rudarsko-metalurški zbornik (Mining and Metallurgy Quaterly).  Is issued quarterly by the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Ljubljana, Velenje Coal Mine, Velenje, Institute for Mining, Geotechnology and Environment (IRGO), Ljubljana and Slovenian Chamber of Engineers, Ljubljana.  Financially supported also by Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology Republic of Slovenia.  Issues up to the volume 62 you can find on our old web page at address: www.rmz-mg.com/contents.htm  The journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges.  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 