Distribution of clay minerals in sediments of Vellar river environment, east coast of India

Abstract

X-ray diffraction study of the < 2 mum clay fraction of 18 surface sediment samples from Vellar river and its surrounding environments (estuary, tidal channel and nearshore marine) indicates that montmorillonite is the most dominant clay mineral followed by kaolinite + chlorite. Illite is present only in the southern and central sectors, of the nearshore marine environment. The percentage of montmorillonite is comparatively higher in the river, estuary and tidal channel than the nearshore marine environment. Kaolinite + chlorite and illite percentages show higher amounts in nearshore than in other environments. From the analyses of various factors, it is concluded that selective transportational and depositional processes govern the distribution of clay minerals.