Petrography and Paleoenvironmental Interpretation of Taloka and Dukamaje Formations, Southern Gadon Mata, Goronyo, Sokoto Basin-Nigeria

Abstract

Petrographic study of the various rock units from Gadon Mata area of Goronyo in Sokoto Basin was carried out. Sedimentary structures were used for Paleoenvironmental Interpretation of Taloka and Dukamaje Formations from Sokoto Basin-Nigeria. The two formations which forms part of Rabah Sheet 11NE lies in the southeastern sector of the Iullemmeden Basin. The study area is bounded by latitudes 13⁰18'38"N to 13⁰21'58"N and longitudes 5⁰47'47"E to 5⁰50'35"E covering 30Km². The mapping exercise was carried out using a topographic base map on the scale of 1:30,000.

The area is made up of Maastrichtian sediments-Taloka and Dukamaje Formations. Taloka Formation is of deltaic/brackish water environment and is made up of white, grey, brown siltstones, friable sandstones, claystones and biogenic structures. It is of tidal flat depositional environment as confirmed by sedimentary structures like abundant bioturbation, rhythmic bedding and the wavy beddings. The Dukamaje Formation is of marginal marine environment comprising of shales, limestones and mudstones with vertebrate fragments. The abundance of mudcrack can be useful in the interpretation of paleoclimate as they are common in warmer climates. Similarly, while the calcite crystals exhibiting spherulitic texture observed in the thin section implies deposition in shallow agitated marine water of the Dukamaje Formation.

Keywords: Petrographic, Sedimentary structures, Paleoenvironmental, Taloka, Dukamaje, Formation, Iullemmeden.