Quality assessment of limestone deposit found in Demsa local government area of Adamawa state, Nigeria

Abstract

Sourcing of raw materials from the abundant natural endowment of Nigeria, Adamawa state inclusive, for industrial use has not generated significant success due to lack of technical information on the integrity of these natural endowment. Limestone is one mineral with enormous diversity of uses. It is used in cement industries, ceramics, paper, glass, animal feed, textile, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic production, water treatment and agriculture. The X-ray fluorescence revealed the major elemental oxide of the limestone in the study area in the order CaO>SiO₂>Al₂O₃>Fe₂O>others, in four locations and the composition shows CaCO₃ content ranging from 73.79 ± 0.02% to 96.28 ± 0.02% with an average of 86.69 ± 0.10% calcite. While the order of SiO₂>CaO>Al₂O₃>MgO>Fe₂O₃>others, are in two locations with 29.64 ± 0.01 and 33.75±0.01% CaCO₃ . The minor oxides are in quantities below 3% and LOI ranging from 10.00± 0.04% to 34.50 ± 0.2%. The limestone deposits in these locations are rich in calcite which can be useful in production of cement, in agriculture and in chemical/industrial uses.