• Granulometric analysis of beach sediments enriched in radioactivity along Podampata, east coast of Odisha, India

• # Fulltext

https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jess/130/0108

• # Keywords

Heavy minerals; rare earth elements; radioactivity; granulometric analysis

• # Abstract

The nature and distribution of heavy minerals along beach placers have been studied along the coastal part of Podampata, Eastern Coast of Odisha, India. The primary objective of this study was to assess the heavy mineral placers along the NE–SW direction, the nature of the high background radiation area, and the geomorphic agents controlling the beach sediment distribution. In-situ total radiation counts were obtained using a Micro R survey meter, and the individual activity of $^{232}$U (in $\mu$g/g), $^{234}$Th (in $\mu$g/g), and $^{40}$ K (in %) of the collected samples were measured with Gamma surveyor II instrument. The sediment characterization was undertaken using grain size statistical parameters, which shows dominant influence of river and wind actions on the sediments and their high transportation and modification rates. Nature of radioactive anomalies observed is due to the decays of $^{232}$U and $^{234}$Th. The meandering nature and subsequent erosion, primarily at the outer curvature of the river, seems to have primarily contributed to the heavy mineral deposition. The high wind velocity during the frequent cyclonic events could have a significant influence on distribution and transport of heavy minerals observed. The mixed geomorphic agents operating in the study area influence the distribution of heavy minerals along the NE–SW direction.

$\bf{Highlights}$

$\bullet$ The higher abundance of Th is basically along the outer curvature of the meandering part as compared to the U and K occurrences.

$\bullet$ Fine sand sediments with negatively skewness contains higher abundance of radioactive= elements.

$\bullet$ The meandering pattern of Rusikulya River along due to beach action, primarily fluvial and aeolian activity plays an important role in the distribution of the sediments along the coast.

• # Author Affiliations

1. Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721 302, India.

• # Journal of Earth System Science

Volume 131, 2022
All articles
Continuous Article Publishing mode

• # Editorial Note on Continuous Article Publication

Posted on July 25, 2019