SOUTHWESTHERN NIGERIA

Five (05) marble samples were obtained from Ubo and Ikpeshi areas Southwest Nigeria with the aim of identifying the chemical composition, mineralogical characteristics, and geological origin of the marble. The samples were subjected to X-ray Diffraction and X-ray Fluorescence analysis. Findings revealed the presence of Calcite (1.6-65%), Quartz (14.1- 44.0%), Muscovite (3.0-37%), Orthoclase (2-30%), Anorthite and Anthophyllite with modal abundance of 8% and 18% at UB1 and UB2, respectively. The result from geochemical analysis reveals the presence of SiO2 (3.91- 47.3wt.%), Al2O3(2.61-8.20wt.%), Fe2O3 (0.17- 7.04wt.%), CaO (31.4-88.8wt.%) and MgO, MnO, K2O, P2O2 having <1wt.%. The low values of the total alkali content in the marble samples from the two sites suggest that the environment of deposition of the original carbonate material that underwent metamorphosis to become marbles from both sites must have been that of a shallow, highly saline environment. The marble deposits are not good raw materials for cement production due to its relatively low value of silica and alumina. However, they are suitable for pesticide production and soil liming. Further geochemical analysis can be achieved to determine their trace elements constituents.