GEOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF KWAKUTI MARBLE, NORTH-WETERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Carbonate sedimentary rock formed at the bottom of lakes and seas as silt and organic matter that settle from the water body to the bottom. It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone. It is composed essentially of calcite (CaCO3), but it is called dolomite CaMg(CO3)2 when its magnesium content is high. Generally pure marble is composed of total CaCO3 content of between 97% - 99%, and pure dolomite is composed of 45.7% MgCO3 and 54.3% CaCO3 or 30.4% lime (CaO) and 21.8% magnesia (MgO). Despite abundant reserves of marble, not very much of the country’s marble has been properly utilized. Kwakuti marble has so far been underutilized, therefore this research will unravel geology and economic potential of the study marble. Ten (10) samples of marble were selected for analysis using XRD and XRF techniques. Comparison of the chemical composition of Kwakuti marble with typical calcitic and dolomitic marbles; the Kwakuti marble compare favourably with typical calcitic marbles from different environments. Comparing the study marble to standard and specification it revealed that the Kwakuti marble is well suitable for agricultural productions.