MINERALOGY AND TEXTURAL CHARATERISTICS OF SEDIMENT FROM EFFURUN RIVER BED

ABSTRACT This study examines the mineralogy and textural characteristics of river bed sediments from the Effurun River, in Delta State, Nigeria to understand the mineralogical components, interpret sediment transport processes and depositional environments. Ten channel sediment samples were collected along the river bed and subjected to grain-size analysis, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). Granulometric results show that the sediments are predominantly medium to fine sand, with mean grain-size values ranging from 1.63 – 2.70ϕ. Sorting values indicate moderately well-sorted to well-sorted sediments, typical of river bed systems, suggesting deposition under moderate but fluctuating hydrodynamic energy conditions. The sediments are positively skewed and leptokurtic in locations 1 and 2, whereas, they are nearly symmetrical mesokurtic in the other locations. Geochemical analysis indicates that SiO₂ is the dominant oxide (average 86.86 wt%), reflecting a quartz-rich and mineralogically mature sediment population. Concentrations of Al₂O₃ (5.85 wt%) and K₂O (3.18 wt%) signify the presence of aluminosilicate minerals such as clays and feldspars. Trace oxides such as: TiO₂, Cr₂O₃, and ZrO₂ suggest contributions from heavy minerals like rutile, ilmenite, and zircon. The mineralogical and geochemical signatures collectively point to sediment derivation mainly from the rocks in the hinterland, the original source of the Effurun River, the quartz-rich Benin Formation over which it drains and with additional influence from urban and industrial activities surrounding the Effurun–Warri metropolis. Overall, the study concludes that the Effurun River hosts mature, quartz-dominated sands deposited under moderate fluvial energy conditions. These findings provide essential baseline information for environmental monitoring, sediment management, and further geological research within the Niger Delta