Evaluation of Arsenic Concentration in Rocks of Kaltungo Area, Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria

Abstract

This research aimed at investigating the concentration of arsenic (As) due to their potential environmental impact and contamination, in the rocks (Coarse Porphyritic Granite, Biotite Granite, Bima Sandstone and basalt) of the Kaltungo area which is part of the Upper Benue Trough. Eight (8) fresh samples (two from each lithologic unit) were collected and analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICPOES) for arsenic (As). The results were presented using graphical presentations and this revealed that rocks in the study area host high concentration of arsenic (As) (87.54-237.65 ppm) compared with the average crustal abundance of 2ppm. These values can be attributed to high concentration of the element in the initial magma and/or hydrothermal and weathering processes which acted on the rocks. The high concentration of arsenic (As) in the rocks of Kaltungo area calls for further studies on its distribution and concentration in the soils, stream sediments and ground water.

Keywords: Arsenic, Kaltungo, Upper Benue trough, environment.