Carbonate components in the coarse fraction of western continental shelf (northern part) of India

Abstract

Study of nature and distribution of skeletal and non-skeletal components (bivalves and foraminifera) are abundant in the inner shelf sediments, classified as detrital; whereas the outer shelf sediments, classified as relict, are characterized by non-skeletal components (ooids, lithoclasts etc.). Roundness of the skeletal component is independent of depth and is confined to class 0 (complete shells) and class 1 (first stage of breakage with no evidence of roundness).The inner shelf is a zone of accumulation in contrast to the outer shelf. Sedimentary and topographic data suggest the presence of onshore sediment transportation and the influence of bottom current on the outer shelf.