article · Journal of the Cameroon academy of sciences
This research assesses the provenance, degree of weathering, and mineral potential of stream sediments in the Akum area of Northwest Cameroon using petrographic analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The heavy mineral assembly includes zircon, epidote, tourmaline, kyanite, zoisite, apatite, biotite, and over 75 percent opaque minerals. The angular to sub-angular shapes of these minerals suggest short transport distances from local bedrock sources. Geochemical analyses show high levels of silicon dioxide and iron oxide, pointing to quartz-rich and iron-rich origins. Weathering indicators reveal moderate to severe weathering within a passive continental margin setting. Concentrations of elements including barium, cadmium, cerium, lanthanum, lead, tin, thorium, and uranium exceed upper continental crust averages, pointing to prospective bedrock mineralisation.
Identifying the chemical makeup and transport history of river sediments helps geoscientists map regional geology and pinpoint undiscovered mineral deposits. By demonstrating that local rocks have undergone substantial weathering and contain elevated levels of critical and valuable elements, this work highlights specific zones in Northwest Cameroon that warrant targeted mineral prospecting.
The findings provide early-stage baseline exploration data relevant to mineral exploration companies and geological survey agencies. By pointing to prospective bedrock sources enriched in elements such as tin, uranium, and rare earths, the work can guide upstream exploration targeting. However, the research is at an early, basic geochemical survey stage, requiring detailed follow-up field sampling and geophysical studies before any commercial mineral resource can be established.
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This study evaluates the sources, mineral potential and weathering magnitude of stream sediments from the Akum area through petrographic and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical methods. Heavy minerals in the stream sediments are comprised of zircon, epidote, tourmaline, kyanite, zoisite, apatite, biotite and opaque minerals, consistent with provenance from felsic igneous and medium - high-grade metamorphic rocks. These heavy minerals are mainly angular to sub-angular and dominated by opaques (>75%), indicative of short distant transport and potential local bedrock source mineralization. High SiO2 (mean = 83.43 wt. %) and Fe2O3 (mean = 10.82 wt. %) in the samples indicate origins from probably quartz and Fe-rich sources. DF1 vs DF2, Na2O vs K2O and Fe2O3 vs MgO systematics align with derivation from mafic to intermediate and quartz-rich sediment sources of non-marine origin. Principal component analysis yields 5 factors (F1: Hg, Ga, Ge, Cr, Co, V, As, Ba, Cd, Fe; F2: Ce, La, U, Th; F3: Co, Ni, Cu; F4: Sn, Pb; and F5: Zr), all supportive of sediments derivation from multiple origins. The Low CaO (Mean = 0.12 wt. %), low Na2O (Mean = 0.12 wt. %), average to high CIA (74. 16 to 94.38), high PIA (85.56 to 99.15), molar ternary CaO+Na2O-Al2O3-K2O and SiO2 vs K2O/Na2O plots of the sediments reveal moderate to severe weathering in a passive continental margin setting respectively. Mean Ba, Cd, Ce, In, La, Li, Mo, Pb, Re, Se, Sn, Te, Th, U and Zn contents are greater than upper continental crust amounts, indicative of potential bedrock sources mineralization that warrant further investigation. Ce présent travail porte sur la provenance, le potentiel minéral et l’intensité d’altération des sédiments des cours d’eau de la région d’Akum, à l’aide de la pétrographie et de la spectrométrie de masse à plasma couplé inductif (ICP-MS). Le zircon, l’épidote, la tourmaline, la cyanite, la zoisite, l’apatite, la biotite et les minéraux opaques constituent le cortège des minéraux lourds observés dans les sédiments étudiés, qui proviendraient de l’altération des roches ignées felsiques et des roches métamorphiques de degré moyen à élevé. Ces minéraux lourds, dominés par les minéraux opaques (> 75 %), sont principalement angulaires à su angulaires, indiquant un transport sur une courte distance et une éventuelle minéralisation locale de la roche-mère. Les teneurs élevées en SiO2 (moyenne = 83,43 % en poids) et en Fe2O3 (moyenne = 10,82 % en poids) dans les échantillons indiquent une origine probablement quartzique et riche en fer. Les diagrammes DF1 vs DF2, Na₂O vs K₂O et Fe2O3 vs MgO confirment une origine sédimentaire, à la fois mafique à intermédiaire et riche en quartz, d’origine non marine. L’analyse en composantes principales révèle 5 facteurs (F1 : Hg, Ga, Ge, Cr, Co, V, As, Ba, Cd, Fe ; F2 : Ce, La, U, Th ; F3 : Co, Ni, Cu ; F4 : Sn, Pb ; et F5 : Zr). Les faibles teneurs en CaO (moyenne = 0,12 % en poids) et en Na2O (moyenne = 0,12 % en poids), les valeurs moyennes à élevées du CIA (74,16 à 94,38), les valeurs élevées du PIA (85,56 à 99,15), le diagramme ternaire molaire CaO+Na₂O-Al2O3-K2O et le diagramme SiO2Vs K2O/Na2O indiquent une altération modérée à sévère dans un contexte de marge continentale passive. Les teneurs moyennes en Ba, Cd, Ce, In, La, Li, Mo, Pb, Re, Se, Sn, Te, Th, U et Zn sont supérieures à celles de la croûte continentale supérieure, ce qui suggère une éventuelle minéralisation de la roche-mère et justifie des investigations complémentaires.
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DOI: 10.4314/jcas.v22i2.6
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