Authors : A.O. Talabi, R.O. Obasi, A.O. Oyinloye, O.L. Ademilua, O.F. Adebayo, O.A. Olaolorun and A.B. Eluwole
Abstract: Bauxite is the main ore from which aluminum can be extracted economically. The major and trace elements of Orin-Ekiti bauxitic clay were evaluated to ascertain its degree of lateralization, provenance and suitability for industrial application. Twelve samples were collected and subjected to analysis employing ICP-MS (Agilent 7700). Results of the analysis revealed that the bauxitic clay composed mainly of Al2 O3 (25.57-34.19 wt.%), SiO2 (31.19-47.71 wt.%), F2 O3 (1.26-23.23 wt.%) and TiO2 (0.18-4.33 wt.%) with LOI between 13.61 and 24.71 wt.%. Alkalis and alkali earth elements showed low values probably because they have been leached out during chemical weathering. The oxides concentrations revealed poor grade deposit when compared to the standard bauxite chemical composition (Al2 O3 >45%, F2 O3 <20% and SiO2 <5%) which is 2 economically mineable. Among the trace elements, Ba has the highest concentration (ppm) ranging from 559.77-3389.67 followed by Sr 169.63-1327.38 and Zr between 49.32 and 1334.17. Vanadium and Ce concentrations (ppm) ranged from 9.19- 419.48 and 49.60-1334.17, respectively. All other trace elements have concentrations <100 ppm. The ternary plot of Al2 O3 -F2 O3 -SiO2 revealed moderate lateralization with 75 and 25% of the samples representing bauxitic clay and silica, respectively. The binary Cr/Ni plot indicated that the bauxitic clay was of heterogeneous sources most likely from basic igneous and sedimentary rock. Orin bauxitic clay is not suitable for Al-ore beneficiation but could found uses in the production of refractory works, alum and fertilizers production.
A.O. Talabi, R.O. Obasi, A.O. Oyinloye, O.L. Ademilua, O.F. Adebayo, O.A. Olaolorun and A.B. Eluwole, 2018. Evaluation of Major and Trace Elements of Orin-Ekiti Bauxitic Clay. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 13: 306-312.