Clay minerals in identification of provenance of sediments of Mandovi estuary, Goa, west coast of India

Abstract

Relative abundance and spatial distribution of the clay minerals show considerable variation with changing seasons all along the length of the Mandovi estuary. Kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite and gibbsite have been identified as chief clay minerals in both the suspended sediments and the surface bed sediments. Of all the minerals, kaolinite is the most dominant. Kaolinite and gibbsite predominantly have their origin in the laterites and lateritic soil. Illite originates basically from the metasediments, while majority of montmorillonite is brought in from the offshore.