Geochemical Exploration of Sediments in the Toumodi Region: Origin of Metasediments, Geological Dynamics, and Perspectives for Regional Geological History

The region of Toumodi, located in the heart of the West African Craton, is renowned for its geological complexity. This geochemical study delves into the origin of siliciclastic sediments and the geodynamic context of their formation. The study reveals that Toumodi’s sediments exhibit an intriguing mineralogical composition, with indications of a dual source of parent rocks, one rich in quartz and the other poor in quartz. Furthermore, geochemical analysis highlights a variation in sediment maturity from west to east, indicating the coexistence of distinct geotectonic environments in the region. In the eastern part of the Toumodi region, a passive margin is defined characterized by sediments with an abundance of quartz, while to the west, an active margin is observed with sediments having a lower quartz content. This arrangement suggests the presence of a potential suture zone in the region. This geological complexity underscores the importance of further research to better understand the origin of sediments and the processes that have shaped them. Moreover, this study sheds new light on the fascinating geology of Toumodi, but many questions remain to be explored.