Comparative study of the Topography &Sediments of the western& eastern Continental shelves around Cape Comorin

Abstract

Western and eastern continental shelves around Cape Comorin show 3 well-defined regions of depositional environments each having its own characteric features. The environments extend from Cochin to Quilon Quilon to Cape Comorin and Cape Comorin to Tuticorin. Topographically the region between Cochin and Quilon is smooth with sub-bottom reflections on the echogram whereas between Quilon and Cape Comorin and from Cape Comorin to Tuticorin the continental shelf is uneven and periodic bed forms (ripples/waves)are observed in the latter area. Sediments of the 1st region are characterized by a high percentage of fine grained sediments (62.4% silt and clay) whereas the 2nd and 3rd regions have 4.3 and 12.8% respectively. The carbonate content increases from 21.9% off Cochin to 37.4% off Quilon and 71.4 & off Tuticorin. Differences in the 3 sedimentary environments are attributed to the variations in the depositional and erosional processes prevailing in the region.