Distribution of REE’s Along South Coast of India

Abstract

Rare earth elements and radioactive elements like Th and U were measured in sediments from nine sampling locations along continental shelf regions of the south coast of India in order to study their behaviour and distribution environment. Analysis was performed using ICP/MS and normalised by using the Post-Archean Australian Shale composition. Rare earth elements grouped into LREE and HREE and the results showed high LREE than HREE indicating their abundance along the study area. Factor analysis and correlation results leads their origin may be from common source. Eu anomalies indicate the source may be from alkali-feldspar or hydrothermal source. Ce anomaly expresses the terrigenous source as origin and displayed oxic environment which prevails along the study region. Other depositional

parameters like Authigenic-U, Th/U ration also support these results.