Determination of the elemental constituents of a natural dolerite using NIRR-1

Elemental characterization of natural dolerite obtained from South Western Nigeria has been carried out using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The measurements showed the presence of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, titanium and iron with concentrations 69,990+/-3499, 61,140+/-8.0, 38,330+/-3929, 13,880+/-1804 and 8319+/-150 ppm, respectively, as the major elements. In addition, 16 other elements, in minor and trace quantities, including Th, a radioactive rare earth element and five other rare earth elements La, Ce, Sm, Dy and Lu were identified. The presence of the rare earth elements may be a confirmation of the previous argument that the observed single but broad glow peak in the glow curve of this rock is rather an overlap of more than one glow peak. The presence of Th suggests the possibility of internal radioactivity in the rock, a necessary criterion for using a material for luminescence dating. Thus, this work indicates that dolerite can be used for luminescence dating if properly developed for the purpose.