Major and Trace Element Evaluation of the Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments of Anambra Basin Exposed around Enugu, Nigeria

An integrated geochemical and sedimentological study of the campano- maastrichtian sediment of ajali and owelli formation exposed within the southern portion of the anambra basin was undertaken to determine the sandstone provenance, tectonic setting, and paleo-weathering conditions. all sandstone samples are enriched in quartz (q) but poor in feldspar (f) andlithic-fragments (l). the major-element concentrations of these sandstones reveal the relative homogeneity of their source. geochemically, the sandstones are classified as quartzarenite, sub-litharenite, and subarkose. tectonic setting discrimination diagrams suggest a passive continental margin. the sediments are enriched in sio_2 and depleted in na_2o, cao and tio_2.chemical index of weathering (ciw) of the sample suggests intense recycling and high degree of weathering in a humid climatic condition. results of the elemental ratios critical of provenance compared to those of felsic and basic derived sediment of ucc and paas values suggests a felsic source rock. cu/zn, u/th, ni/co and (cu+mo)/zn paleo-oxygenation ratios used as redox parameters depicts an oxic environment. finally, presence of minerals, like anatase, rutile and microcline depicts an igneous and metamorphic source terrain.