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ABSTRACT: In search for bentonite, geophysical and geochemical methods can be independently used to delineate for bentonite, although results and information from a single method might not be 100 % effective. For instance, it will be difficult to use resistivity values alone to identify a deposit as bentonite since most clay minerals have the same signature (extremely low resistivity values). Thus, this study integrates geophysical and geochemical methods to increase the accuracy of prospecting for bentonite in Afuze. The geophysical electrical method is used, with ten dipole-dipole traverses set up east to west direction, 20 m away from the Afuze-Auchi road. The dipole-dipole electrode spacing of 5 m and inter-traverse spacing of 10 m are used to acquire the electrical data. Geochemical anlysis using the x-ray florescense test and digestion and titraton test are able to capture the main elements that makes up bentonite (sodium, calcium, aluminium and silicon) and their content as well as sodium and calcium percentage. From the resistivity values of 10 Ωm-100 Ωm, bentonite has been identified in three traverses (traverses 1, 5 and 6). Results from digestion and titration test show samples obtained from traverse 1 has higher calium percentage 158 parts per million (ppm) and has a sodium percentage of 48 ppm. Samples obtained from traverses 5 and 6 have calium percentage of 93 ppm and have a sodium percentage of 41 ppm. This data set has been able to provide more details on bentonite having sedimentary origin and detailed information concerning bentonite occuring in Nigeria, serving as a guide for future researchers.

Keywords: Geophysical; geochemical; digestion and titration; electrical resistivity, x-ray florescense

JoST. 2021. 11(2): 65-77
Accepted for Publication: August 20, 2021