Tectonic Setting and Provenance of Metasedimentary Rocks of Taneka Mountain Pan-African Dahomeyide Orogenic Belt, Northwestern Benin Republic

International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science

© 2025 by SSRG - IJGGS Journal

Volume 12 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Abdou Wahidou Seidou, Akinade Shadrach Olatunji, Luc Adissin Glodji, Kouame Saint Blanc Kouassi

10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V12I1P106

How to Cite?

Abdou Wahidou Seidou, Akinade Shadrach Olatunji, Luc Adissin Glodji, Kouame Saint Blanc Kouassi, "Tectonic Setting and Provenance of Metasedimentary Rocks of Taneka Mountain Pan-African Dahomeyide Orogenic Belt, Northwestern Benin Republic," SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science, vol. 12,  no. 1, pp. 57-61, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V12I1P106

Abstract:

The Taneka Mountain in northwestern Benin Republic lies east of the external and suture zones of the Pan-African Dahomeyide orogenic belt, surrounded by migmatites and gneisses in the crystalline basement. It consists of metasedimentary rocks, mainly quartzites and schists, offering insights into their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. This research focuses on these rocks’ petrographic and geochemical features to understand their composition, petrogenesis, provenance, and tectonic context. Twenty samples were collected for thin-section and geochemical analysis. Major oxides, trace elements, and rare earth elements were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) at Activation Laboratory Ltd, Canada. Petrography reveals that quartzites are dominated by quartz and muscovite, with minor amounts of tourmaline, while schists contain talc, quartz, and chlorite. A geochemical study suggests that quartzites are siliceous (SiO₂: 82.18 wt.%) with low other oxides, suggesting mature sedimentary origins. Schists have higher Al₂O₃ (14.68 wt.%) and Fe₂O₃ (5.13 wt.%), indicating pelitic protoliths. Trace and REE data distinguish the lithologies: quartzites show depleted trace elements, whereas schists are enriched. The geochemical findings indicate that the quartzites originated from mature, quartz-rich sediments, possibly derived from felsic terrains. At the same time, the schists have a heterogeneous sedimentary provenance with contributions from both felsic and mafic rocks. The tectonic context of the quartzites is consistent with a passive margin, whereas the schists indicate a transitional environment influenced by surrounding active tectonic zones. The tectonic setting and provenance of the Taneka Mountain quartzites and schists are similar to those of the external zone of the Pan-African orogeny.

Keywords:

Benin, metasedimentary rocks, passive margin, Pan-African orogeny, Taneka Mountain transitional environment.

References:

[1] Y. Agbossoumondé, R.P. Ménot, and P.M. Nude, “Geochemistry and Sm-Nd Isotopic Composition of the Agou Igneous Complex (AIC) from the Pan-African Orogen in Southern Togo, West Africa: Geotectonic Implications,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 82, pp. 88–99, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Felix Aidoo et al., “New Insight into the Dahomeyide Belt of Southeastern Ghana, West Africa: Evidence of arc-Continental Collision and Neoarchaean Crustal Reworking,” Precambrian Research, vol. 347, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Kodjopa Attoh, and Prosper M. Nude, Tectonic Significance of Carbonatite and Ultrahigh-Pressure Rocks in the Pan-African Dahomeyide Suture Zone, Southeastern Ghana, The Geological Society, vol. 297, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Daniel Kwayisi, Marlina Elburg, and Jeremie Lehmann, “Preserved Ancient Oceanic Lithosphere within the Buem Structural Unit at the Eastern Margin of the West African Craton,” Lithos, pp. 410–411, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Daniel Kwayisi et al., “Cryogenian-Ediacaran Crustal Growth and Evolution of the Active Margin of the Dahomeyide Belt, Ghana,” Geological Magazine, vol. 160, no. 10, pp. 1914–1931, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] P. Affaton et al., “The Dahomeyide Orogen: Tectonothermal Evolution and Relationships with the Volta Basin,” The West African Orogens and Circum-Atlantic Correlatives, pp. 107-122, 1991.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] P. Appel, A. Moller, and V. Schenk, “High-Pressure Granulite Facies Metamorphism in the Pan-African Belt of Eastern Tanzania: P-T-t Evidence against Granulite Formation by Continent Collision,” Journal of Metamorphic Geology, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 491-509, 1998.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Kodjopa Attoh et al., “Geochemical Characteristics and U–Pb Zircon LA-ICPMS Ages of Granitoids from the Pan-African Dahomeyide Orogen, West Africa,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 79, pp. 1-9, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Fatchessin Bruno Adjo et al., “Petrographic, Geochemical and Structural Characteristics of Gold-Bearing Metasedimentary Rocks from the Atacora Structural Unit, Northwestern Bénin Republic,” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, vol. 14, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Carlos E. Ganade et al., “Tightening-up NE Brazil and NW Africa Connections: New U-Pb/Lu-Hf Zircon Data of a Complete Plate Tectonic Cycle in the Dahomey Belt of the West Gondwana Orogen in Togo and Benin,” Precambrian Research, vol. 276, pp. 24–42, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Ronald Trompette, “Premmbriun Resenrrh Neoproterozoic (~600 Ma) Aggregation of Western Gondwana: A Tentative Scenario,” Precambrian Research, vol. 82, no. 1-2, pp. 101-112, 1997.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Lenka Baratoux, Mark W. Jessell, and Alain N. Kouamelan, “The West African Craton,” The Geology of North Africa, Springer, Cham, pp. 47–68, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Nasser Ennih, and Jean-Paul Liégeois, The Boundaries of the West African Craton, with Special Reference to the Basement of the Moroccan Metacratonic Anti-Atlas Belt, Geological Society Special Publication, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Nasser Ennih, and Jean-Paul Liégeois, “The Moroccan Anti-Atlas: The West African Craton Passive Margin with Limited Pan-African Activity. Implications for the Northern Limit of the Craton,” Precambrian Research, vol. 112, no. 3-4, pp. 289-302, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] R. Black et al., “Pan-African Displaced Terranes in the Tuareg Shield (Central Sahara),” Geology, vol. 22, no. 7, pp. 641-644, 1994.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Kodjopa Attoh, R.D. Dallmeyer, and Pascal Affaton, “Chronology of Nappe Assembly in the Pan-African Dahomeyides Orogen, West Africa: Evidence from 40Ar39Ar Minerals Age,” Precambrian Research, vol. 82, no. 1-2, pp. 153-171, 1997.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Jean Paul Liégeois et al., “The LATEA Meta-Craton (Central Hoggar, Tuareg Shield, Algeria): Behavior of an Old Passive Margin During the Pan-African Orogeny,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 37, no. 3-4, pp. 161-190, 2003.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Luc Adissin Glodji, “The Kandi Shear Zone and Associated Magmatism in the Savalou-Dassa Region (Benin): Structural, Petrological and Geochronological Study,” Hall Theses, pp. 1-277, 2012.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Daniel Kwayisi, Jeremie Lehmann, and Marlina Elburg, “Provenance and Depositional Setting of the Buem Structural Unit (Ghana): Implications for the Paleogeographic Reconstruction of the West African and Amazonian Cratons in Rodinia,” Gondwana Research, vol. 109, pp. 183–204, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Y. Agbossoumonde, and R.P. Menot, “Geochemical Characterization of High-Pressure Basic Granulites from the Agou Massif in the Pan African Dahomeyide Chain in Southern Togo,” Journal of Scientific Research of the University of Lomé, vol. 7, no. 2, 2005.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Pascal Affaton, Jean Sougy, and Roland Trompette, “The Tectono-stratigraphic Relationship between The Upper Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic Volta Basin and The Pan-African Dahomeyides Orogenic Belt (West Africa),” American Journal of Science, vol. 280, no. 3, pp. 224–248, 1980.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Norbert Clauer et al., “Geochronology of Sedimentary and Metasedimentary Precambrian Rocks of the West African Craton,” Precambrian Research, vol. 18, no. 1-2, pp. 53-71, 1982.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] L. Cahen et al., The Geochronology and Evolution of Africa, Clarendon Press, Oxford, England, pp. 181-183, 1984.
[Google Scholar]
[24] sPascal Affaton, “The Volta Basin (West Africa) a Passive Margin, of Late Proterozoic Age, Tectonized in the Pan-African (600 ± 50 Ma),” Doctoral Thesis, Université Aix-Marseilles III, 1987.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Pascal Affaton, Luis Aguirre, and Rene-Pierre Ménot, “Thermal and Geodynamic Setting of the Buem Volcanic Rocks Near Tiélé, Northwest Bénin, West Africa,” Precambrian Research, vol. 82, no. 3-4, pp. 191-209, 1997.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Shiloh Osae et al., “Provenance and Tectonic Setting of the Late Proterozoic Buem Sandstones of Southeastern Ghana: Evidence from Geochemistry and Detrital Modes,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 85-96, 2006.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Daniel Kwayisi et al., “Two Suites of Gabbros in the Buem Structural Unit, of the Pan-African Dahomeyides Orogen, Southeastern Ghana: Constraints from the New Field and Geochemical Data,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 129, pp. 45-55, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Luc Adissin Glodji et al., “Geology and Geochemistry of the Chromiferous Mineralization in the External Zone of the Pan-African Dahomeyides Belt, Northwestern Benin (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa),” International Journal of Geosciences, vol. 10, no. 12, pp. 1068- 1080, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Fatchessin Bruno Adjo et al., “A Review of the Current State of Knowledge on Gold Mineralization in Benin Republic, West Africa,” Applied Earth Science, vol. 128, no. 1, pp. 2-14, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Fatchessin Bruno Adjo et al., “Geochemistry of Gold-Bearing Metamorphic Rocks of the Natitingou Area, Atacora Structural Unit, Northwestern Bénin (West Africa): Implications for Au Genesis,” Geochemistry, vol. 81, no. 2, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] R.P. Menot, “The Basic and Ultrabasic Massifs of the Pan-African Mobile Zone in Ghana, Togo and Benin; State of the Question,” Bulletin of the Geological Society of France, vol. 3, pp. 297-303, 1980.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Kodjopa Attoh, and Jennifer Morgan, “Geochemistry of High-Pressure Granulites from the Pan-African Dahomeyide Orogen, West Africa: Constraints on the Origin and Composition of the Lower Crust,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 39, no. 3-5, pp. 201–208, 2004.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Y. Agbossoumondé et al., “Petrological and Geochronological Constraints on the Origin of the Palimé- Amlamé Granitoids (South Togo, West Africa): A Segment of the West African Craton Paleoproterozoic Margin Reactivated During the Pan-African Collision,” Gondwana Research, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 476-488, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Prosper M. Nude et al., “Petrography and Chemical Evidence for Multi-stage Emplacement of Western Buem Volcanic Rocks in the Dahomeyide Orogenic Belt, Southeastern Ghana, West Africa,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 112, pp. 314-327, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] Daniel Kwayisi, Jeremie Lehmann, and Marlina Elburg, “The Architecture of the Buem Structural Unit: Implications for the Tectonic Evolution of the Pan-African Dahomeyide Orogen, West Africa,” Precambrian Research, vol. 338, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[36] Stephane Guillot et al., “Transition from Subduction to Collision Recorded in the Pan-African arc Complexes (Mali to Ghana),” Precambrian Research, vol. 320, pp. 261-280, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[37] Renaud Caby, “Precambrian Terranes of Benin, Nigeria, and Northeast Brazil and the Late Proterozoic South Atlantic Fit,” Geological Society of America Special Paper, 1989.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[38] D. Chala et al., “Pan-African Deformation Markers in the Migmatitic Complexes of Parakou-Nikki (Northeast Benin),” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 111, pp. 387-398, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[39] Feiko Kalsbeek, Dirk Frei, and Pascal Affaton, “Constraints on Provenance, Stratigraphic Correlation and Structural Context of the Volta Basin, Ghana, from Detrital Zircon Geochronology: An Amazonian Connection?,” Sedimentary Geology, vol. 212, no. 1-4, pp. 86–95, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[40] L. Adissin Glodji et al., “Geochronology and Geochemistry of Igneous Rocks of the Dassa Region, Central-Benin: Evidence of an Ediacaran Emplacement of Alkali-Calcic and Alkaline Plutonic and Volcanic Magmas,” International Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 112, pp. 1331-1360, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[41] Renaud Caby, “Terrane Assembly and Geodynamic Evolution of Central-Western Hoggar: A Synthesis,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 37, no. 3–4, pp. 133–159, 2003.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[42] R. Caby, and J.M. Boesse, “Pan-African Nappe System in Southwest Nigeria: The Ife-llesha Schist Belt,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 211-225, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[43] Mahaman Sani Tairou et al., “Pan-African Paleostresses and Reactivation of the Eburnean Basement Complex in Southeast Ghana (West Africa),” Journal of Geological Research, vol. 2012, no. 1, pp. 1-15, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[44] C.Y. Anani et al., “Provenance of Sandstones from the Neoproterozoic Bombouaka Group of the Volta Basin, Northeastern Ghana,” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, vol. 10, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[45] B.W.D. Yardley, “Turner Metamorphic Petrology: Mineralogical, Field and Tectonic Aspects. 2nd Edition. Washington, New York, and London (McGraw Hill), 1981. xv+ 524 pp., 162 figs. Price £26.95,” Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 46, no. 339, pp. 278–279, 1982.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[46] Helmut G.F. Winkler, Petrogenesis of Metamorphic Rocks, 5th ed., Springer New York, NY, 1979.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[47] Michael M. Herron, “Geochemical Classification of Terrigenous Sands and Shales from Core or Log Data,” Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 820–829, 1988.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[48] B.P. Roser, and R.J. Korsch, “Determination of Tectonic Setting of Sandstone-Mudstone Suites Using SiO₂ Content and K₂O/Na₂O Ratio,” The Journal of Geology, vol. 94, no. 5, 1986.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[49] Mukul R. Bhatia, “Plate Tectonics and Geochemical Composition of Sandstones,” The Journal of Geology, vol. 91, no. 6, 1983.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[50] S.M. McLennan, “Rare Earth Elements in Sedimentary Rocks: Influence of Provenance and Sedimentary Processes,” Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, pp. 169–200, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[51] Stuart Ross Taylor, and Scott M. McLennan, The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution, Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 1-312, 1985.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[52] Olusegun G. Olisa, Olugbenga A. Okunlola, and Ayotunde A. Omitogun, “Petrochemistry and Petrogenetic Features of Metasedimentary Rocks of Igangan Area, Southwestern Nigeria,” Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, vol. 6, no. 4, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[53] Young Ezenwa Obioha, “Geochemistry Evolution of Schists of Northwest Obudu Area Southeastern Nigeria,” Global Journal of Geological Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[54] H. Wani, “REE Characteristics and REE Mixing Modeling of the Proterozoic Quartzites and Sandstones,” International Journal of Geosciences, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 16-29, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[55] Barth N. Ekwueme, and Bassey E. Ephraim, “Rare Earth Element Geochemistry and Protoliths of Schists in Southeast Lokoja, Central Nigeria,” Global Journal of Geological Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 9-15, 2005.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[56] M.S. Kolawole, E.C. Chukwu, and A.N. Agibe, “Geochemistry and Petrogenetic Evolution of Metasedimentary Rocks in Bunu Area, Part of Kabba-Lokoja-Igarra Schist Belt, SW Nigeria,” Acta Geochimica, vol. 41, pp. 765–788, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[57] Luiza de Carvalho Mendes, Ticiano Jose Saraiva Dos Santos, and Nadia Borges Gomes, “Geochemistry and Provenance of the Metasedimentary Rocks Surrounding the Santa Quitéria Magmatic Arc, NE Brazil: Tectonic and Paleogeographic Implications for the Assembly of West Gondwana,” Precambrian Research, vol. 356, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[58] R.A. Obasi, and H.Y. Madukwe, “Use of Geochemistry to Study the Provenance, Tectonic Setting, Source-Area Weathering and Maturity of Igarra Marble, Southwest, Nigeria,” American Journal of Engineering Research, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 90–99, 2016.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[59] Parampreet Kaur et al., “Geochemical Constraints on the Provenance and Tectonic Setting of Metasedimentary Rocks from the South Delhi Supergroup, NW India: Implications for Tectonic Evolution of the Western Margin of the Aravalli Orogen,” International Geology Review, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 1280-1301, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[60] Sory I.M. Konate et al., “Provenance and Tectonic Setting of Greywacke and Siltstone of the Nampala Gold Deposit, Southern Mali,” Applied Earth Science: Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 133, no. 2, pp. 129-147, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[61] Blestmond A. Brako et al., “Petrography and Geochemistry of Metasedimentary Rocks from the Paleoproterozoic Birimian at the Chagupana Area, North-west Ghana: Implications for Provenance and Tectonic Setting,” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, vol. 15, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[62] Theophilus Kekeli Agbenyezi et al., “Paleoweathering, Provenance and Tectonic Setting of Metasedimentary Rocks at the Ayanfuri Area in the Paleoproterozoic Kumasi Basin in Ghana: Evidence from Petrography and Geochemistry,” Journal of Sedimentary Environments, vol. 7, pp. 519-538, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[63] Ajay K. Singh et al., “Age, Provenance and Tectonic Setting of Metasedimentary Rocks of the Simlipal Complex, Singhbhum Craton, Eastern India,” Precambrian Research, vol. 355, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]