REE Signatures in Quaternary Deposits: Implication for Provenance and Economic Potentials

The Rare Earth Element (REE) geochemistry of siliciclastic sediment in the Ilaje area, eastern Dahomey basin, southwestern Nigeria was conducted to determine the provenance, their geotectonic setting as well the REE economic potential in the sediments. One hundred (100) samples were collected at various locations within the study area and digested using dilute HCl, HNO 3 , and other reagents; and evaluated with High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Geochemical analysis results (ppm) revealed concentration ofLa varies from 1.87–21.47 while Ce ranges from 1.16–45.98.Others include; Pr (1.07–39.56), Nd (0.71–26.02), Sm (0.42–12.51), Eu (0.20–4.66), Gd (0.27–8.79), Tb (0.29–3.97), Dy(0.28–3.62), Ho (0.22–2.76), Er(0.29–2.64), Tm (0.33–3.83), Yb(0.37–3.75) and Lu (0.29–3.03) respectively whileThe ∑REE ranges from 2.25 to 6686.75ppm. The REE normalization plot is characterized by an inclined shape which indicates a trend of depletion. The patterns show an enhancement of the Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and of the Heavy Rare Earth Element (HREE) indicating an upper continental crust sourced materials. The plot also revealed a negative Eu anomaly which may be associated with plagioclase fractionation in the acidic source rocks. The high ∑REE in the sediments has uncovered the economic potential of the sediments as a useful raw material resource for technological advancement.