ABSTRACT
This study defines a new boundary between the crystalline and sedimentary rocks of Eastern Dahomey Basin at the southwestern part of Nigeria using a geophysical approach that combines regional aeromagnetic and ground resistivity data. Aeromagnetic data covering the entire Eastern Dahomey Basin were acquired at 500 m line spacing, 80 m mean terrain, and processed into grids of Residual Magnetic Intensity (RMI) map. Filters and corrections such as upward continuation, and reduction to equator were applied to enhance deep magnetic sources and correct for magnetic inclination and declination. Tilt Derivative Angles (TDR) was applied for edge detection. To support the aeromagnetic analysis and interpretation, 104 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) surveys and 8 Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data were also acquired, processed and interpreted along the basement-sedimentary rock boundary. The TDR revealed a significant trend that corresponds to the edge between the basement complex and the sediments of the Eastern Dahomey Basin. A strong match was also noticed between the VES positions and the TDR map. Areas interpreted as basement rocks from the VES stations align with positive values on the TDR maps while the sedimentary terrains have negative TDR values. Our work demonstrates that areas that were previously fixed as sedimentary terrains on geological maps belong to the crystalline basement or transition zone. A new and reliable geological boundary is hereby drawn between the basement and sedimentary rocks. Thus, providing a revised map of the Eastern Dahomey Basin.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Metal recycling factories (MRFs) have developed rapidly in Nigeria as recycling policies have been increasingly embraced. These MRFs are point sources for introducing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into environmental media. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the constituents (elemental and mineralogy) of the wastes (slag and particulate matter, (PM)) and soils around the MRFs and to determine the level of pollution within the area. METHODS: Sixty samples (30 slag samples, 15 soil samples and 15 PM samples) were collected for this study. The soils, slag and PM samples were analyzed for elemental constituents using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Mineralogy of the PM was determined using scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and soil mineralogy was determined by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). RESULTS: The results of the soil analyses revealed the following concentrations for the selected metals in mg/kg include lead (Pb) (21.0-2399.0), zinc (Zn) (56.0-4188.0), copper (Cu) (10.0-1470.0), nickel (Ni) (6.0-215.0), chromium (Cr) (921.0-1737.0) and cadmium (Cd) (below detectable limit (Bdl)-18.1). For the slags the results were Pb (68.0-.333.0), Zn (1364.0-3062), Cu (119.0-1470.0), Ni (12.0-675.0), Cr (297-1737) and Cd (Bdl-15.8). The results in µg/g for the metal analysis in PM were Pb (4.6-160.0), Zn (18.0-471.0), Cu (2.5-11.0), Ni (0.8-4.2), and Cr (2.5-11.0), while Cd was undetected. The slags are currently utilized for filling the foundations of buildings and roads, providing additional pathways for the introduction of PTEs into the environment from the suspended materials generated from mechanical breakdown of the slags. CONCLUSIONS: The MRFs were found to have impacted the quality of environmental media through the introduction of PTEs, impairing soil quality, in addition to PM, which can have detrimental health consequences. Further studies on the health implications of these pollutants and their impacts on human health are needed. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
