ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF ROCKY OUTCROPS IN SOLLARE, GULANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research work focused on analyzing the chemical composition of the rocky outcrops in
Sollare, Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State with the aim of determining the
economic importance of the rocks. The field equipment used included GPS, prismatic compass,
geographic hammer and polythene bags. Three (3) fairly sizeable pieces of rocks with fresh
surfaces were prepared and collected one from each site as representative samples and taken to
the laboratory for geochemical analysis. Preparation of the samples involved the use of
analytical balance, weighing boat and aluminum press cups- Herzurg swing mill and Herzurg
press machine. XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) analysis was carried out on the 3 samples at the
Laboratory of Ashaka Cement Factory. Results of the analysis showed that the average
percentage of Calcium Carbonates was 96.333%. Some of the chemical constituents of the 3
samples included silica (Si02 2.905%), aluminium oxides (Al2O3 1.937%), iron oxides (Fe2O3
1.359%), magnesium oxides (MgO2 0.660%) and potassium oxides (K2O, 0.115%). The
outcrops covered an area of 45.56 km2. Analysis of interview responses on the cultural values
attached to the rocky outcrops showed that there were no values attached to the rocks. For time
and financial constraints, chemical analysis on other rock outcrops farther away from Sollare
could not be carried out. With this result, it is believed that Companies could exploit the rocks
for the production of cement and other valuable products. It is also recommended that some
researchers should conduct some researches on those rocks, and on rocks elsewhere in Nigeria
with a view of determining their chemical composition in order to establish their economic
importance.