SEDIMENTOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CLAY DEPOSITS AROUND OFUNMWENGBE, EDO STATE, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

There has always been a need for the usage of clay minerals. Hence, the reason for this research work which was carried out to determine the sedimentological properties of ofunmwengbe clay deposits in Edo State, South-western Nigeria. In this study, five (5) fresh clay samples were collected from ofunmwengbe and were subjected to particle size analysis and swelling test to determine their sedimentological and swelling potentials of clay grain size using hydrometer method and free swell test. The relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in soils determines soil texture and affects soil characteristics such as nutrient retention and leaching and water holding capacity and drainage. The hydrometer method of particle size analysis calculates the physical proportions of these soil particles based on their settling rates in an aqueous solution. The samples gotten from the five locations were mostly clay particles with sand, gravel and silt being absent.