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Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics. 2022, 10(3), 162-171
DOI: 10.12691/JGG-10-3-5
Original Research

Geotechnical Properties and Geochemical Composition of Mudrock from the Douala Sub Basin, Cameroon: Implication for Industrial Potentials

Ndengwe Alexander Tangwa1, , Njoh Oliver Anoh1 and Nowel Yinkfu Njamnsi1

1Department of Geology, Mining and Environmental Science, University of Bamenda

Pub. Date: December 12, 2022
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Ndengwe Alexander Tangwa, Njoh Oliver Anoh and Nowel Yinkfu Njamnsi. Geotechnical Properties and Geochemical Composition of Mudrock from the Douala Sub Basin, Cameroon: Implication for Industrial Potentials. Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics. 2022; 10(3):162-171. doi: 10.12691/JGG-10-3-5

Abstract

The geotechnical and compositional characteristics of mudrock deposits in the Douala Sub basin were investigated using a combination of analytical methods, including particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, mineralogical (X-ray diffraction) analyses, and whole rock geochemistry. The goal is to characterize the nature and physicochemical properties of mudrock in order to determine its applicability in industries. Grain size analysis reveals that clay-sized particles dominate the samples, with a plasticity index ranging from 6.8% to 20.67%. The mudrock materials are primarily composed of kaolinite (16.8-49.4%), quartz (15.8-68.9%), and illite (00-15.3%), which are typical of the Douala Sub- basin sedimentary environment and morphoclimatic conditions. SiO2 (42.77-73.5%) and Al2O3 (13.13-29.98%) are the most abundant oxides in the samples. Iron oxide content is moderate (1.73- 17.18%). Methylene blue values range from 1.12 to 6.95, confirming the clay content of (39.43-45.43%) and also attesting that the sediments in the study area are rich in 1:1 clay. They are suitable for ceramic applications such as (refractory bricks and tiles) and pottery due to the physicochemical parameters associated with mineralogical and geochemical data

Keywords

Mudrock, clay mineral, characterization, valorisation, Douala Sub basin 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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