Estimation of radioelements concentration in Sokoto Basin for geothermal energy studies using airborne radiometric data

High resolution aero-radiometric data of Sokoto basin Northwestern, Nigeria were used in this research work. The location of the basin is between latitude 11^o30I to 13^o30IE and longitude 4^o30I to 6^o30IN. Sixteen (16) sheets of high resolution of airborne radiometric data were used to obtain the concentration of Potassium (K), Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) respectively in the area of interest. The data were gridded and analyzed using Geosoft software. The result of the analysis revealed that potassium concentration is between -0.577935% to 7.34347% with an average of 3.3827%. The Thorium concentration values ranged from -3.81541ppm to 91.9404ppm with an average of 44.0624ppm. The Uranium concentration revealed values from -4.44524ppm to 46.1767ppm with an average of 20.86572ppm. The ratio of potassium and equivalent thorium (K/eTh) indicated values between -8.69847%/ppm to 39.567%/ppm and ratio of equivalent uranium and equivalent thorium (eU/eTh) revealed values between -412.181ppm to 99.4613ppm. The ternary diagram of the radiometric data showed that the south and southeastern regions of the study area have high radioactive mineral concentration above the average normal value of radioactive minerals in a natural environment and radioactive minerals are good source of geothermal energy. The results obtained has shown that the basin has geothermal potential which can cause non productivity of hydrocarbon in the area of interest and the research area can be recommended for geothermal energy resource to compliment the electric power supply in the nation.