Heavy mineral occurrence off Hazira, west coast of India

Abstract

The occurrence of heavy mineral placers on the west coast of India are well known from Konkan and Malabar Coast. However, a geological and geophysical investigation (including echosounding and side scan sonar profiles and 7 samples) off Hazira, Gujarat Coast, have indicated appreciable concentration of heavy placers in the intertidal zone. The mineral suite is mainly composed of opaques (ilmenite and magnetite), pyroxenes (sugite and diopside) and amphibole (hornblende) with minor percentages of sphene, zircon, staurolite, kyanite, tourmaline etc. indicating mixed igneous and metamorphic source. The grain size studies indicate positive correlation between concentration of heavies and high sorting values, as well as concentration of heavies and the areas having geomorphic features like mega ripples. The transportation history has indicated the effect of high energy hydrodynamic regime prevailing in the area