Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Abstract

Petrogenesis and Geotectonic Settings of the Granitic Rocks of Idofin-osi-eruku Area, Southwestern Nigeria using Trace Element and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry

S.C. Odewumi and V.O. Olarewaju

The Idofin-Osi-Eruku area occur in the south-eastern margin of the southwestern sector of the Nigerian Basement Complex. Granitic rocks and early gneiss samples were studied geologically and geochemically using ICP-MS. The study focuses on the trace elements and rare earth elements geochemistry in determining the geochemical characteristics and geotectonic processes of formation of the granitic rocks. Geologically, Idofin-Osi-Eruku area is underlain by early gneiss, quartzite and marble which have been intruded by granite gneiss, porphyritic granite and fine to medium-grained granite of probable Pan-African (ca. 600Ma) age. Geochemical data indicate that the granitic rocks are Fe-rich potassic granites. The varying ratios of the incompatible elements of Rb/Sr ratios (0.664-1.388) in porphyritic granite, (0.338-2.390) in the fine to medium-grained granite and (0.593-1.509) in granite gneiss are higher than Rb/Sr ratio (0.029) in the early gneiss. Also, Ba/Sr ratios (2.815-5.424) in porphyritic granite, (3.463-4.636) in fine to-medium grained granite and (2.132-4.734) in granite gneiss are higher than Ba/Sr ratio (0.912) in the early gneiss. And Ba/Rb ratios (2.486-6.192) in porphyritic granite, (1.473-1.520) in the fine to-medium grained granite and (3.183-3.595) in the granite gneiss are lower than Ba/Rb ratio (31.02) in the early gneiss. Higher ratios of Rb/Sr and Ba/Sr, and lower ratio of Ba/Rb in the granitic rocks than the early gneiss indicate high fractionation associated with magmatic differentiation. The granite rocks have fractionated REE patterns characterized by enrichment in the LREE which is confirmed by high values of the normalized ratios of La/Yb, Ce/Yb and La/Sm, with negative europium anomalies and varying degrees of HREE depletion which is typical of the crust and also of calc-alkaline rocks. Based on the overall abundances of REE, the similarities in the REE patterns of the granitic rocks suggest the same origin. Geotectonically, the granite gneiss, fine to medium-grained granite and porphyritic granite plot as syncollisional and volcanic arc granites. The granitic rocks are products of volcanic arc magmatism emplaced in the late phase of the Pan-African Orogeny.