Energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence determination of minor and major elements in soils of Mambilla Plateau Northeastern Nigeria

This study focuses on energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence determination of minor and major elements in selected soils of Mambilla Plateau. The 12 sampled soil composites analysed were done by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique for minor and major elements. The elemental oxides determined were Al2O3, CaO, K2O, TiO2, SiO2, BaO, Fe2O3, and MnO. The result obtained in the study showed that the general percentage concentration of elemental values were in decreased order of Si>Al>Ti>K>Ca for major elements and Fe>Mn>Ba minor elements accordingly. The major elements category showed silicon as the highest mean concentration at location S 84.09%±6.40 and calcium lower mean concentration with value of 0.32%±0.02. The minor elements concentration percentage revealed Fe with a mean value at location N 23.18%±3.1 being the highest and Ba is the lowest at location S 0.14%±0.1. The soil analysis revealed low concentration of essential major and minor elements, however, high concentration of Al and Fe that may solubilized at low pH and splitting H+ from water molecule showed increased soil acidity. Key words: Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), minor elements, major elements, percentage, Mambilla Plateau.