Clay mineralogy of the mud banks of Cochin

Abstract

The mineralogy of the sediments constituting the mud banks formed off Cochin, Kerala, India was studied. The clay mineral composition was used as a means of understanding the nature and source of origin of the muds. Fine fraction of the mud samples were analysed using X-ray diffractometering for their clay mineralogy. The kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, chlorite with some calcite and quartz were detected in all samples. The presence of gypsum and hydrous phosphate was also noted