Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Mudstones of the Bama Ridge (Upper Chad Formation) Bornu Basin, North-Eastern Nigeria

The mudstone of the Bama Ridge Complex that represents the upper part of the Chad Formation was evaluated for its mineralogy and major oxide concentrations in this present research. XRD analysis indicated the occurrence of quartz, anatase, plagioclase, gypsum, k-feldspars, smectite and kaolinite minerals. The dominance of smectite in the clay mineral fraction points to the presence of dry arid to semi-arid climatic conditions associated with a strong presence of hot and humid regimes. Major element geochemistry indicates that paleoweathering conditions are generally moderate for the basin but few phase of high and low weathering pulse are also common and these weathering patterns are largely governed by the paleoclimatic condition.