Sedimentological studies off Vasishta-Vainateyam Godavari delta sediments, central east coast of India

Abstract

In sediment samples clayey silt and silty clay occupy a major portion. Mean size values show considerable variation between 10 and 30 m isobath. Moderately sorted sediments are found close to the present day shoreline and sediments become poorly sorted towards offshore. Nearshore sediments are near symmetrical and the sediments between 10 and 30 m isobath are positively skewed to very positively skewed. Positively skewed sediments occur beyond 30 m isobath. Kurtosis values show decreasing trend towards offshore. The seaward and southwest decrease in silt/clay ratios reflect a net offshore transport component and southwest transport component. The heavies constitute opaques, pyroxenes, amphiboles, garnet, zircon, rutile, sillimanite and kyanite. Increase in the concentration of heavies towards north suggests a net northerly dispersal of heavies.