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Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics. 2022, 10(3), 126-138
DOI: 10.12691/JGG-10-3-2
Original Research

Physicochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Clay Materials in the Douala Coastal Sedimentary Sub-basin (Cameroon, Central Africa)

Kankao Oumar Oumla1, Ngon Ngon Gilbert François1, 2, , Tehna Nathanael3, Bayiga Elie Constantin1, Mbog Michel Bertrand4, Mbaï Joel Simon1 and Etame Jacques1

1Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, Cameroon

2School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon

3Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

4Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon

Pub. Date: July 17, 2022
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Kankao Oumar Oumla, Ngon Ngon Gilbert François, Tehna Nathanael, Bayiga Elie Constantin, Mbog Michel Bertrand, Mbaï Joel Simon and Etame Jacques. Physicochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Clay Materials in the Douala Coastal Sedimentary Sub-basin (Cameroon, Central Africa). Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics. 2022; 10(3):126-138. doi: 10.12691/JGG-10-3-2

Abstract

This study is focused on the physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of five different clay materials of Eastern part of Douala sub-basin. It aims to know the nature and geotechnological properties of the clay raw materials in order to raise the idea of their potentialities in industrial applications. The samples were subjected to several analyses such as geotechnical tests notably the particle size distribution, the Atterberg limits, the swelling index, the chemical (cation exchange capacity, pH-H2O and pH-KCl, X-ray fluorescence) and mineralogical (X-ray diffraction) analyses. These clay materials showed high fine fractions (up to 99%) and high plasticity index (15 to 63%). The swelling index is medium (16 to 20) and the CEC moderate (30 - 40), indicating the presence of a small proportion of swelling 2:1 type clays. The clay materials are predominantly constituted by kaolinite (32 – 72%), quartz (20.2 - 50.7%) and illite (4.6 – 10%), which are characteristic of the sedimentary environment and morphoclimatic conditions of the Douala coastal sedimentary sub-basin. The predominant oxides in clay materials are SiO2 (34.05 - 51.18%) and Al2O3 (16.05 - 23.98%). Iron oxide Fe2O3 is moderate (1.55 - 11.22%) and alkali and alkaline earth oxides are weak less than 2%. The physicochemical parameters associated with mineralogical and geochemical data make them suitable for ceramic applications and also serve as backfilling materials in building constructions when improved by adding sand.

Keywords

clay materials, Douala coastal sedimentary sub-basin, mineralogical, physicochemical, Cameroon

Copyright

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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