ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF THE BENUE TROUGH AND ITS POSSIBLE IMPLICATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH

Several aspects of the geology of the study area have been investigated by workers including Burke et al, (1970), Offodile and Rayment, (1977), Offodile, (1980), Ford, (1981), Benkhelil, (1982); Benkhelil and Robineau (1983), and others. The mineral resources of the area range from industrial minerals and rocks which include stone aggregates, sands, gravels, clays, laterite and limestone, to salt, sulphides, coal, sulphates and water resources. Water samples collected from wells, streams and springs from settlements in the Middle Benue Trough were analysed for sodium (Na⁺), cadmium (Cd²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺), chloride (Cl^-), and bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) ions. The results revealed that in some of the samples, sodium and chloride concentrations were higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards for potable drinking water. Contamination of the water bodies are traceable to the mineralization in the area and could have grave consequences on public health. This could be the case in places with similar mineralization all over the Benue Trough. Funding for more intensive and extensive multi-disciplinary research is recommended.