Compositional and industrial assessment of Isua-Akoko, Akure, Ayadi and Lafe (Ode Aye) clay deposits of Ondo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of clay deposits around Isua-Akoko, Akure, Lafe and Ayadi in Ondo State southwestern Nigeria have been examined. The results have shown that Isua-Akoko, Akure and Lafe Clays are plastic fire clays while Ayadi clay is kaolinite. Grain size analysis reveals that Isua Akoko Clay contains 45% of clay, 18% silt, 12% fine sand,14% medium sand and 11% coarse sand and no gravel; Akure clay contains 42% clay, 14% silt, 13% fine sand, 20% medium sand and 8% coarse sand with 1% gravel. Lafe Clay contains 21% clay, 8% silt, 25% fine sand, 37% medium sand and 8% coarse sand with 1% gravel while Ayadi clay contains 83% clay and 17% silt. The liquid limits of these clay samples range from 41% to 73%% and plastic limits range from 18% to 26% respectively. The chemical analysis reveals that the most abundant mineral is silica (60.97%) and aluminum was next in abundance (23.69%) while other oxides are low. The results show that Isua-Akoko and Akure are residual while Lafe and Ayadi are sedimentary and transported Clays. The firing test, PH, and bleaching tests of the clays are also discussed. The chemical and physical characteristics of the clay deposits are strongly indicative of their industrial importance in the production of ceramics, refractories, paving bricks, paint and pharmaceutical products.

KEYWORDS: Kaolinite, fire clay, gravel, ceramics and alumina.