Research Article Open Access

A Study of Sorting of Heavy Minerals in a Cove in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Abstract

The coastal cove on Visakhapatnam is a small sheltered bay, dissected in half by an intermittent stream. The cove is unique as the heavy minerals present in it, is a combination of the intermittent stream and coastal processes. Changes in wind, weather, waves, currents and other continental and oceanic processes leave an imprint behind to aid in gaining knowledge on beach changes. Beach samples were collected along a traverse from Chinnamarimanga to Bhimunipatnam, falling between latitude 17°50’ to 17°53’ N and 83°24’to 83°27’ E longitude. Heavy mineral analysis was carried out. The result showed increasing abundance of heavies from Chinnamarimanga to Bhimunipatnam. Abundance of Garnet concentration was found near Chinnamarimanga which decreased along the cove. Ilmenite concentration increased northward. Monazite concentration increased from the stream to Bhimunipatnam. Magnetite shows a decreasing trend from south to north. The ripple mark structures, the well sorted and well-rounded textures and distribution of heavies reveal the sorting of heavy minerals of the cove.

B Linda Prabhakar Babu, J Sandesh, S Saikumar, and R Arjun.

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