Provenance Study of A Section of The Lokoja ‎Sandstone,Southern Bida Basin, North-Central ‎Nigeria

  • Authors

    • Rasheed Yaqub Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
    • Ifeanyi M Oyudo Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
    • Moshood A. Jimoh Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
    • Emmanuel O. Ogunnubi Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
    • Musediq O. Aluko Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
    https://doi.org/10.14419/wavpga03

    Received date: June 26, 2025

    Accepted date: August 10, 2025

    Published date: September 6, 2025

  • Fluvial Deposition; Granulometric Analysis; Petrography; Subarkosic Sandstone; Sediment Provenance

  • Abstract

    This study investigates the provenance and depositional environment of the Lokoja Sandstone in the Southern Bida Basin, North-Central ‎Nigeria. The purpose is to determine the compositional maturity, textural characteristics, and source terrain of the sandstone using integrated ‎granulometric and petrographic analyses. Four stratigraphic sections were logged along the Lokoja–Abuja expressway, with representative ‎sandstone samples collected and analyzed. Grain size distribution was assessed through dry sieve analysis, and statistical parameters—mean ‎size, sorting, skewness, and kurtosis were calculated. Thin-section petrography was conducted to evaluate mineral composition and sediment maturity.‎

    The results show that the sandstone is predominantly coarse- to medium-grained, poorly sorted, and positively skewed, with kurtosis values ‎ranging from mesokurtic to leptokurtic—characteristics typical of high-energy fluvial environments. Petrographic analysis reveals a dominance of monocrystalline quartz (87%), with moderate feldspar (12%) and trace muscovite (1%), classifying the sandstone as subarkosic. ‎The presence of subangular grains and feldspar suggests limited chemical weathering.‎

    In conclusion, the Lokoja Sandstone was deposited in a braided river system under variable flow conditions and sourced from the ‎rounding Precambrian Basement Complex. These findings contribute to a better understanding of sediment dispersal and tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Southern Bida Basin‎.

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  • How to Cite

    Yaqub, R., Oyudo, I. M., Jimoh, M. A. ., Ogunnubi, E. O., & Aluko, M. O. . (2025). Provenance Study of A Section of The Lokoja ‎Sandstone,Southern Bida Basin, North-Central ‎Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Geosciences, 13(2), 18-27. https://doi.org/10.14419/wavpga03