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GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN FIKA AND FUNE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION TO
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

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 BORNO JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY VOL, 8, NO.1, 2011
COPYRIGHT (c) DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI, PRINTED IN NIGERIA ISSN 1596-6798
www. Unimaidgeology.com

GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN FIKA AND FUNE LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION TO INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

F. Bukar, S. Baba, B. Shettima and A.M. Kyari

Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri

Abstract
The Cretaceous Fika Shale host the gypsum deposits in several parts of the Chad Basin and
this study is aimed at evaluating its geology and geochemistry at Fika and Fune L.G.A. of
Yobe State. The gypsum occurs in three horizons, in each of the studied pit in the two
localities. In the first and second gypsiferous horizon, the gypsum occurs as thin layer from
0.3cm to 2cm, while the third horizon host the thickest gypsum crystals, measuring up to
0.3cm to 25cm in Fika and 0.3cm to 30cm in Fune area. Twenty two samples of gypsum
from the two areas were analyzed and the result of the geochemical analysis indicates that
CaSO4.2H2O content is over 70% which is of high grade. The values of calcium oxide
(CaO) and sulphate (SO42-) from the study areas ranges from 24.21% to 35.34% and
34.24% to 48.30% in Fika, 26.89% to 34.75% and 34.14% to 46.48% in Fune area
respectively. The water (H2O) content of all the gypsum of the areas fall within the range of
16.00% to 20.00%. Based on these geochemical values, the gypsum mineralization in these
areas can suitably be used in the production of Cement, Plaster of Paris, Solid wallboard,
Ceramics mould and Ammonium sulphte fertilizer.

Keywords: Gypsum, Gypsiferous, Cretaceous, Sulphate and Fika.

INTRODUCTION
The Study localities are at Fika and Fune
L.G.A. of Yobe State and fall into the
Southwestern Chad Basin. Fika is located
between latitudes 110 161 N and 110251 N and
longitudes 110 181E and 110 301E (Fig.1), While
Fune is located between latitudes 110 291N and
110 411N and longitudes 110 251E and 110 301E
(Fig.2).
The occurrence of gypsum in Nigeria is
generally confined to result from sequence of
Cretaceous to Tertiary age and they occur as
lenses, seams and vein lets within these
argillaceous Formation. In the Chad Basin,
gypsum occurrence are found around Gadaka,
Potiskum, Fika, Fune and Bularafa areas, where
the name sequence of Fika shale outcrop
(RMDC,1996 and Baba et al, 1995 )
Artisanal mining was going on in the
study area over the decades but without knowing
the quality as well as to what uses would different
gypsum forms can be put into. Though it is being
mined locally in Fika and Fune Local
Government Areas of Yobe State for over
decades, there are few systematic studies of its
occurrence and quality. Therefore this research
work intends to evaluate the deposits to determine
the nature of occurrence, quality and its industrial
application.

Corresponding author: F. Bukar Received 13 June, 2009 - Revision Accepted 2 September, 2009

57
Borno Journal of Geology Vol. 8, No.1, 2009 BUKAR et al

Fig. 1. Location map around Fika area

Fig.2 Location map around of Fune area.

58
GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN FIKA AND FUNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION TO INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.
TECTONIC AND STRATI GRAPHIC
SETTING
The origin of the Chad Basin is associated
with the separation of the African and South
American continents in the early Cretaceous
(Burke, 1976; Genik, 1993). An active phase of
sea floor spreading in the Atlantic during the mid
Cretaceous resulted in the subsidence of the West
African intracratonic basins, leading to the
widespread Cenomanian-Turonian marine
transgression into the Chad Basin (Carter et al.,
1963).
Sedimentation in the Chad Basin began in
the Albian with the deposition of a continental,
sparsely-fossiliferous medium to the coarse
grained feldspathic sandstone known as the Bima
Sandstone. This formation rest directly on the
Precambrian Basement Complex and it is
composed mainly of sandstone and with some
shale intercalations (Carter et al.,1963; Avbovbo
et al.,1986).
The Bima Sandstone is conformably
overlain by the Gongila Formation which is
composed of calcareous shale and sandstones,
deposited in a shallow marine environment
(Popoff et al., 1986) (Fig. 3). The deposition of
this formation marks the beginning of marine
incursion into the Bornu Basin (Carter et al.,
1963). The marine transgression which started in
the Albian reveals its peak in the Turonian during
which the bluish-black, ammonites-rich open
marine Fika Shale was deposited, and this
deposition continued into the Santonian (Carter et
al., 1963). Gombe Sandstone which contain
intercalation of siltstone, shale, ironstone and
sandstone was deposited in the Maastrichtian and
it unconformably overlyies the Fika Shale.
A phase of extensional deformation
occurred in the Bornu Basin in the Late
Maastrichtian times and this continued up to the
end of Cretaceous. As a result of that, the Basin
was reconstructed into an elongate NE-SW
garben system and the remnant basin that
succeeded the deformation formed the site for the
deposition of the Kerri-Kerri Formation, which
unconformably overlies the Cretaceous sediments
(Carter et al,.1963).
In the Pleistocene and presumably during
the Pliocene, the continental deposit of the Chad
Formation were unconformably laid down on top
of the Kerri-Kerri Formation (Carter et al.,1963).
Toward the end of the Tertiary and until recent
times, widespread volcanic activities occurred in
the south and central part of the Basin
(Burke,1976)
59
 Borno Journal of Geology Vol. 8, No.1, 2009
METHODOLOGY
The two representative samples of the
gypsum were collected at three different
horizons from the pits dug for gypsum
mining. Representative samples were
collected at varying depth from 7m to
13m.The hydrogen concentration ion
measurement were carried out on some
selected samples using PH meter These
samples are analyzed for their major elements
by the used of analytical machines such as X-
ray Fluoresces and neutron activation analysis
at University of Maiduguri and Centre for
Energy Research and Training Zaria
respectively. Also loss on ignition were
carried out by heating the samples at
temperatures of 1100c and the differences
between weight and dry sample was weight
RESULTS
Mode of occurrence of gypsum
The gypsum is generally hosted by the
Cretaceous Fika shale. It occurs in the form of
lenses, seams and vein let which are few
millimeters to centimeters thick, mostly the
gypsum occur as concordant with host rock
but discontinuous between the bedding
planes. The thickness of the gypsum varies
from one location to the other with minimum
of 0.2cm to 6cm and the thickness increases
with depth. The gypsum interactions are
BUKAR et al
persistent for distance of about 50m long. The
gypsum of all the four localities (Gaishua,
Garin Ari, Turmi and Bulabulin) in Fika area
occurs along the fracture filling cracks and the
vein lets. The occurrences of gypsum in the
first and second horizons usually as lenses
from 0.1cm to 2cm thick while in the third
horizon gypsum occur as vein lets which
ranges from 5cm to 25cm thickness. The
gypsum at Alangafe, Bulagaje and Jakatererre
localities in Fune area occurs along the
bedding planes as cracks and vein lets within
the host rock. The mode of occurrences in the
first and the second horizons is similar to that
of Fika as lenses ranges from 0.2cm to 2cm
but in the third horizon the thickness is from
15cm to 30cm or more in the Fune area. The
thickest of all the gypsum occur along the
bedding planes.
Two varieties of gypsum are found in
Fika area there are Selenite and Satin spar
while in Fune area four types of gypsum are
found in Fune area these are Selenite, Satin
spar, Alabaster and Gypsite.
Geochemistry
Twenty two representative samples of
gypsum were analyzed for their major
elements. The results of the chemical analyses
of the gypsum are presented in (Table1and 2).
60
GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN FIKA AND FUNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION TO INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

The lime content of the gypsum varies in recorded from the two localities (Gaishua and
concentration from 27.76%to 36.97% from all Bulabulin in, Table 1).
the localities. The highest value of the lime is

TABLE 1. MAJOR OXIDE (%) COMPOSITION OF GYPSUM FOR FIKA AREA.

Sample Gypsum Al2O SiO2 K2O Fe2O3 TiO2 MnO MgO Na2O CaO SO4 2- H2O PH
no. type Value

Gaishua GHC-2 Selenite 7.01 0.04 1.21 0.40 BDL 0.90 BDL BDL 31.94 43.46 18.00 6.2

GH-2 Satin 0.09 0.01 0.75 0.09 BDL 0.01 BDL BDL 36.97 40.77 17.00 6.0
spar
GHS-1 Selenite 7.12 0.04 1.35 0.44 BDL 0.04 2.14 BDL 32.08 45.51 16.50 6.4

GH-4 Satin 8.93 0.05 1.88 0.77 0.14 0.01 2.50 BDL 29.71 38.83 17.00 6.6
spar
Average 4.26 0.04 1.29 0.43 0.14 0.23 2.32 BDL 28.88 41..57 17.12

Garin- Ari GASC Selenite 3.79 0.02 0.97 0.18 0.19 0.08 1.66 0.03 27.76 38.96 17.50 7.4

GAS-3 Satin 6.94 0.04 0.82 0.03 BDL O.28 7.23 0.06 35.34 35.24 16.00 6.2
spar
GA-1 Selenite 0.49 0.01 0.80 0.08 BDL 0.01 BDL BDL 35.03 44.48 17.00 6.7

Average 3.74 0.02 0.86 0.19 1.19 0.12 4.45 0.05 32.71 39.56 16.83

Turmi T-3 Selenite 1.39 0.01 0.85 0.02 0.10 0.01 BDL BDL 32.70 34.13 16.80 6.6

TS2TS Selenite 1.74 0.01 0.92 0.01 BDL 0.07 4.64 BDL 30.07 48.30 14.00 6.8

Average T-5 Satin 0.21 0.04 1.54 0.60 BDL 0.01 BDL 0.02 24.21 43.93 15.70 7.0
spar
Bulaburin Buc-1 Selenite 7.01 0.04 1.21 0.04 0.42 0.11 3.81 0.90 31.94 43.46 14.40 6.1

BUC-2 Selenite 0.09 1.00 0.75 0.09 BDL 0.09 BDL 0.13 36.97 40.77 18.00 6.4

BUC-3 Selenite 7.12 0.04 1.35 0.44 BDL 0.14 BDL 0.06 32.08 45.51 18.80 6.5

BUS-1 Satin 8.93 0.05 1.88 0.77 BDL 0.80 0.89 BDL 29.71 38.85 18.20 6.3
spar
Average 5.80 0.40 1.29 0.43 0.42 0.02 2.35 O.36 32.67 42.83 17.35

BDL- Below detection limit

61
 Borno Journal of Geology Vol. 8, No.1, 2009 BUKAR et al

TABLE.2. MAJOR OXIDE (%) COMPOSITION OF GYPSUM FOR FUNE GYPSUM

Locality Sample Gypsum Al2O SiO2 K2O Fe2O3 TiO2 MnO MgO Na2O CaO SO4 H2O PH Value
2-
no. type

Alangafe AL-1 Selenite 8.21 0.05 1.61 0.62 BDL 0.02 BDL BDL 29.45 38.89 16.80 6.5
ALS-2 Satin 0.97 0.01 0.83 0.05 BDL BDL 5.26 BDL 33.78 43.29 14.00 6.7
spar
ALS-3 Alabaster 0.97 0.01 0.84 0.05 BDL 0.07 0.32 BDL 33.49 43.29 15.70 7.5
Average 3.38 0.23 1,09 0.24 BDL 0.0 4 2.79 BDL 42.83 32.21 15.20
Bulagaje BL-1 Selenite 8.76 0.05 1.93 0.72 ND 0.08 BDL BDL 26.89 35.81 17.60 7.0

BL-3 Alabaster 1.17 0.01 0.84 0.02 BDL 0.01 BDL BDL 33.07 43.48 15.20 6.7
BLS-1 Gypsite 0.47 0.01 0.80 0.07 BDL 0.01 1.68 BDL 34.73 42.54 20.40 6.8
Average 3.47 0.02 1.19 0.27 BDL 0.03 1.68 BDL 40.61 31.56 17.70

Jakaterre J-1 Selenite 7.55 0.04 1.30 0.46 BDL 1.14 BDL BDL 29.34 34.14 18.80 6.2
JS-1 Satin 0.56 0.01 0.82 0.06 BDL 0.02 2.26 BDL 34.07 46.48 16.00 6.5
spar
Average 4.05 0.03 1.06 0.26 BDL 0.58 2.26 BDL 40.31 31.71 17.40

BDL- Below detection limit

ND- Not detected

The sulphate content ranges from 34.13% to concentration. The titanium oxides of all the
48.30% in the area, similarly the lime content localities in the two areas are below detection
varies from 26.89% to 33.78% while the sulphate limit. Manganese oxides vary from 0.1% to
content ranges from34.14 to 48.48% in all the 1.14% in the two localities in the two areas. The
localities in the Fune area. Silicon oxide content water content ranges from 14.00% to 20.20% in
varies from 0.01% to 0.23% in Fika and Fune all the localities in Fika and Fune area.
areas. The potassium oxide concentration varies The results of the present work are
from 0.75% to 1.97% in the two areas. Aluminum compared with those of previous workers and the
oxides range from 0.09% to 8.93% in all the standard value. It was found that the gypsum of
localities in the Ares. While iron oxide the Fika and Fune areas fall within the range
concentration is more or less similar in given by various workers as shown (Table 3).

62
GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN FIKA AND FUNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION TO INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

TABLE.3. COMPARISON OF THE CHARACTERISTIC OF GYPSUM IN THE PRESENT STUDY WITH

PREVIOUS WORKS.
Locality Mode of occurrences Depth/thickness of gypsum Geochemistry
seam
Pindiga town south east of Occur as seam along channel At depth of 1-2m SO4 2- = 42.91%
Pindiga river Akko L.G.A, type section along gullies. CaO = 26.98%
Bauchi State Seam can be trace for 3-4m. H2O = 18.65
Gabriel (1989)
Turmi locality north eastern The gypsum seams occur at At depth of 1.5-2m. Thickness SO4 2- = 31.94%
part of sheet 109. Nafada. eroded break of slope with of the gypsum seam ranges CaO = 45.68%
Yarafa (1996) few cm of top soil. between 1cm – 10cm. H2O = 20.80%
Mada located between Nafada The gypsum occurs as seams At a depth of 1.5m. SO4 2- = 43.38%
and Fika . along the bedding plane and CaO =33.20%
Haruna and Orazulike (1997) fractures fillings. H2O = 19.30%
Fika, Yobe State. The gypsum occurs as The gypsum occurs at depth of SO4 2- = 53.01%
Baba et al, (1995). intercalations along the 3m -8m. The thickness of the CaO =30.69%
bedding plane. gypsum vary from 1cm to 4cm. H2O =20.65%
Guyuk, North eastern Nigeria. The gypsum occurs along the The gypsum thickness is from SO4 2- = 51.04%
Ntekim (1999) fringes of Jessu, Numanha and 0.3cm - 1.5cm and depth of 4.8 CaO =25.24%
Sekule Formations mostly to 15m. H2O =21.95%
occur on the slopes of the hill.
Nafada, Gombe State. The gypsum occurs as fracture The gypsum occurs as SO4 2- = 442.57%
El-Nafaty and El-Nafaty fillings, cross cutting the host intercalation within the shale. CaO =29.56%
(2000) rock and along the bedding The thickness of the gypsum H2O = 22.79%
planes. vary from 1cm to 12cm
Mutwe located in Southern The gypsum occurs as The gypsum occurs at depth of SO4 2- = 45.82%
part of Yobe state. concretions within the shale 3m-5m. CaO =32.33%
Mohammed (2000) and others occur as seams H2O = 21.42%
along the bedding plane.
Fika and Fune areas of Yobe The gypsum occurs as seams The gypsum crystal occurs as SO4 2- = 43.46%
State. and vein-lets intercalations along the CaO =33.94%
Present work. bedding planes at a depth of H2O =18.00%
3m to 13m. The thicknesses of
the gypsum vary from 0.5cm to
25cm in Fika and 0.3 to 30cm
or more in Fune areas.
American standard,2000 SO4 2- = 43.53%
CaO =32.60%
H2O =30.90%

63
 Borno Journal of Geology Vol. 8, No.1, 2009 BUKAR et al

Table 4. Average weight of gypsum CaSO 4 .2H 2 O in % for the two areas.
Locality. Sample no. Average weight of Average weight (%) of
gypsum (CaSO 4 . 2H 2 O) gypsum in the localities
For the pits.
Gaishua GHC-2 87.65
GH-2 92.36
GHS-1 75.78 87.59
GH-4 94.56
Garin Ari GASC 84.22
GAS-3 86.58 89.10
GA-1 96.51
Turmi T-5 83.63
T-3 92.37 89.85
TS2TS 93.56
Bulaburin BUC-1 89.80
BUC-2 95.74 92.17
BUC-3 96.39
BUS-1 86.74
Alangafe AL-2 87.14
AL-1 94.07 91.87
AL-3 94.39
Bulagaje BLS-1 80.30 89.91
BL-3 91.75
BL-1 97.67
Jakatererre JS-1 82.28 89.41
J-1 96.50

occurs along the fractures zone. It is a major raw

From the geochemical analysis the
material for many manufacturing industries and
average weight composition of the gypsum
its suitability for each of these industries depends
CaSO4 2H2O in percentages ( %) in all the
largely on its geochemistry and specifically on
localities in the two areas are calculated to
varying proportion of CaSO4.2H2O). The
contained over 87.59% of CaSO4 2H2O as shown
geochemistry of this mineral shows a marked
(Table 4).
variation across the locality being studied in the
study areas (Table 1 and 2).
DISCUSSION
The gypsum in the Fika Shales tends to
The gypsum is generally hosted by
occur in the three marked horizons as seam,
Cretaceous shale as seams, lenses and vein let,
lenses and vein lets along fractured zones. Their

64
GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF GYPSUM DEPOSITS IN FIKA AND FUNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREA OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION TO INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

thicknesses increase with increasing depth in Acceptable standard specification for the
which the larger ones are generally confined to application of gypsum in the ceramic industries
the third horizon with crystal thicknesses on the basis of the American standards ranged
reaching a thickness of up to 30cm. from 85% - 96%. For fertilizer production the
Gypsum is often found in pure state , values most fall between 85% - 90%, while for
however, it usually contains various amount of solid wall paper the value most greater than 85%.
shale, silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), iron oxide From the geochemical analysis of the gypsum
(Fe2O3), magnitite (MgCO3) and other from both the Fika and Fune study areas, the
compounds which contribute enormously in CaSO4.2H2O of the se samples are well above
lowering the grade of the gypsum (Kartz, 1984). 85%. Therefore, the gypsum deposits in the Fika
The gypsum at Fune and Fika L.G.A. display and Fune study localities are highly suitable for
grades ranging from 87.59% - 92.17%, the production of cement, ceramics, fertilizer and
suggesting a high grade gypsum. solid wall paper.
The standard values of American
specification for gypsum uterlization in the CONCLUSION
cement industries (2000) established an The gypsum of the study areas fall within
acceptable values at a maximum of 85% the Cretaceous sequence and the gypsum occur as
CaSO4.2H2O and MgO < 5% while that of Lorenz seams, vein let and lenses. The thickness of the
and Gwodsz (2003) ranged between 70 – 80% gypsum varies from one location to another with
CaSO4.2H2O. Considering this it was suggested minimum of 0.2cm to 6cm and maximum of
that the gypsum deposits at Gashua, Garin Ari, 25cm to 30cm, the thickness increases with depth.
Turmi and Jakaterre have satisfied these Based on these geochemical values the gypsum of
specifications because their CaSO4.2H2O values the two areas is good quality for cement, plaster
ranged from 87.59 – 89.59%, hence they can be of Paris, solid wallboard, ceramic and ammonium
suitable for cement production sulphate fertilizers.

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 Borno Journal of Geology Vol. 8, No.1, 2009
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