Sediment Characteristics and Heavy Mineral Distribution in Tamiraparani Estuary and Off Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu- SEM Studies (original) (raw)

The study area Tamiraparani located between latitudes 8° 25 ́ and 9° 13 ́ N, and longitudes 77° 10 ́ to 78° 10 ́ E along the southeast coast of India. All samples were collected between Pre-monsoon July, 2003 and Post-monsoon February, 2004. The heavy mineral assemblage of the study region is governed by the distribution of different type of minerals. However, the assemblage is restricted to the dominance of few selective minerals like garnet (colourless), garnet (pink), zircon, rutile, chlorite, etc. From the SEM studies, it is observed that the grains are sub-angular with various surface solution features, rounded crescent like pits, straight net like sutures; v-shaped pits are noticed in pre and post-monsoon samples. The coarser nature of the grains may be due to the influence of river activities. The weathered surface futures also noticed in few samples. The sediment texture, mineral and SEM studies, clearly indicate that in pre-monsoon the erosional activities are predominant t...