Browsing by Author "Mamodu, A."

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Environmental Impact of Artisanal Gold Mining on Soils in Saigbe and Environs, Part of Minna Sheet 164, North-Central Nigeria
(Minna Journal of Geosciences (MJG), 2017) Omanayin, Y. A.; Abdurrahman, R.; Akande, W. G.; Mamodu, A.; Alkali, Y. B.; Alabi, A. A.
The environmental geochemistry of soils from Saigbe and environs, Minna, North-central Nigeria was studied in an attempt to assess the impacts of artisanal gold mining activity in Saigbe and environ. Geological fieldwork carried out in the area revealed that the underlying lithologies include schist, granite and amphibolite. A geochemical soil survey was also carried out and a total number of twenty (20) soil samples were systematically collected from both mined and unmined sites within the study area, of which eight (8) representative samples were geochemically analyzed. Elemental concentrations (major and trace elements) in the soil samples were determined using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The physical impacts observed during fieldwork in the area include loss of vegetation, land degradation, water pollution and abandoned pits. The average concentrations of the elements determined were compared with the published upper crustal abundance of the individual elements and subsequently their enrichment ratios were computed. Elements such as Ag, Au and Hg show high enrichment with 1.81 ppm, 0.03 ppm and 0.11 ppm concentrations respectively. The result from accumulation index (Igeo) also shows possible Hg contamination. This potentially toxic element can cause serious damage to the skin, nervous and digestive systems in man through direct or indirect consumption.
Geochemical analysis of Jakura-Obajana Marble, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria: Implication for their Industrial Uses
(Minna Journal of Geosciences (MJG), 2017) Mamodu, A.; Ako, T. A.; Unuevho, C. I.; Omanayin, Y. A.; Ile, O. T.
Geochemical analysis of the Jakura-Obajana marble deposit in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria was investigated. The paper seeks to put into perspective the diverse uses of marble which hinges on its geochemical characterization. Besides the popular use of marble for cement production, the research tends to elucidate other uses of marble predicted on predefined specifications. This will trigger optimal benefit of the Jakura-Obajana marble deposit. To achieve this, fieldwork was carried out to map the rock units underlying the area. Representative marble samples were randomly collected for laboratory analysis using XRF at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Kaduna. The result of the field work reveals that the Jakura-Obajana marble was found occurred with limestone, quartzite and schist. It was also found that marble are the most dominant rock types in the study area. The colour varies from white to grey and the grain sizes range from fine to medium. The geochemical result reveals that CaO and MgO have the average content of 32.37 wt% and 19.57 wt% respectively. The average content of the oxides is 99.43 wt% and the average loss of ignition (LOI) is 43.01 wt%. The average CaCO3 and MgCO3 content of the Jakura-Obajana marble are 58.33 wt% and 41.08 wt% respectively. The percentages indicate that CaCO3 higher than MgCO3. This implies that, the Jakura marble is calcitic in origin. The total carbonate content in the marble is 99.41 %. This makes it suitable for fertilizer production, cement production, and in the production of useful industrial chemical such as sodium carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxide. It is concluded that the investigated marble deposits have other potential areas of application in addition to usage for cement production, except for animal feeds production and usage as fluxes in steel production.
Hydrogeochemical Analysis and Potential Pollutant of Water Resources Around Ajaokuta Steel Complex, North Central, Nigeria
(Journal of Geography and Earth Sciences, 2014-06) Mamodu, A.; Onoduku, U. S.; Ako, T. A.; Abraham, S. U.; Amadi, A. N.; Omanayin, Y. A.
The citing of Ajaokuta steel complex near its major raw materials (Iron) has brought about economic development in Kogi State, Nigeria. As a result of poor management of industrial waste, the only River where most people in the community get their drinking water became polluted. The aim of this research is to determine the quality of water and its pollutant within the study area. In order to meet the objective of the research, both physical and hydrogeochemical analysis were carried out. The physical parameters determined indicated (on average), a Ph of 7.44, temperature of 27°C, electrical conductivity of 106.8us/cm and turbidity of 157.4 NTU. 20 water samples were analyzed using Flame analysis photometry and Atomic absorption spectrophotometer.The result reveals on the average: 1.227mg/l Na+ , 2.3 mg/l K+ , and 2.545mg/l Ca2+2.6mg/l NH4+ , 0.17mg/l Cu 2+ , 0.45mg/l Fe2+ , 0.4mg/l Cr3+ , 0.06mg/lMn2+<10, ug/l As3 . . There were gradual decreases in concentration in some elements as one move further away from the steel complex (inferred source of pollution). The reason for these decreases maybe due to distance from the source of pollution and seepage into the groundwater. Iron and manganese were found to be very higher when compared to World health standards. Dangote group of Company’s E.I.A report also shows higher concentration of Fe2+, Mn2+and Cu2+in plant tissue. Therefore, the research concludes that Fe2+ and Mn2+ were the main pollutants while a Cu 2+andCr3+arethe minor pollutants of water resources in the study area. The research also, preliminary concludes that poor handling of industrial waste may have contributed majorly to the pollution of water. Keywords: Ajaokuta, water, hydrogeochemical analysis, pollutant, Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A), industrial waste, Atomic absorption spectrophotometer
Water Quality Assessment around Kataeregi Artisanal Gold Mining Site, North-Central Nigeria
(Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME), Book of Proceedings, 2014) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Amadi, A. N.; Abdulfatai, I. A.; Mamodu, A.
Hydrochemical assessment was conducted on streams, mine ponds and hand-dug wells around Kataeregi gold mining site, along Minna- Bida road, North-central Nigeria. This was done in order to evaluate the suitability of water in the area for both domestic and irrigational purposes. Fifteen quality parameters: Temperature, pH, TDS, EC, SO4, NO3, HCO3, Cl, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Fe, As and Pb were analyzed. The abundance of the major ions was in order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Fe2+ for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > PO43- for anions. The water was observed to be earth-alkaline fresh water, which is an indication of water from shallow aquifer system. The results of the field and laboratory revealed that the concentration of most of the parameters were below the maximum permissible limits for a safe drinking water recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) except for iron, sulphate and lead whose concentrations at some locations were slightly higher than their respective acceptable limits. The high content of iron and sulphate could be attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area while high lead content observed in the area was due to the weathering and subsequent dissolution of galena, discarded by the artisanal miners during the exploration for gold.
Water Quality Investigation within the Neighbourhood of Kataeregi Artisanl Gold Mining Sites, North-Central Nigeria
(Journal of Information, Education, Science and Technology (JIEST), 2016-12) Omanayin, Y. A.; Ogunbajo, M. I.; Amadi, A. N.; Abdulfatai, I. A.; Mamodu, A.
Hydrochemical analysis was performed on water samples obtained from streams, mine ponds and hand-dug wells within the neighbourhood of Kataeregi gold mining site, located along Minna- Bida road in North-central Nigeria. The exercise is aimed at ascertaining the suitability of water from streams and hand-dug well for both domestic and irrigational purposes. The parameters analyzed for comprise of Temperature, Acidity – Alkalinity level (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and concentrations of SO42-, NO3-, HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cu2+, Fe2+, As3+ and Pb2+. Geological field mapping show the area comprise of Migmatite-Gneiss Complex, Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. The concentrations of Fe2+ and Pb2+ far exceed World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) prescribed limits for irrigation, portability and other domestic purposes. The high content of iron could be attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrite associated with the gold mineralization in the area while the high lead content observed in the area was due to the weathering and subsequent dissolution of galena, discarded by artisanal miners during the exploration for gold. All water bodies in the area belong to earth-alkaline fresh water, which is an indication of water from shallow aquifer system.