Distribution and Characterization of Heavy Mineral Placer Deposits along the Central Tamil Nadu Coast, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study of heavy minerals in coastal areas provides insights into placer deposition mechanisms, economic mineral enrichment, and the origin of placer deposits. This study describes the distribution and characteristics of heavy mineral placer deposits between Thirukadaiyur in the north and Velankanni in the south along the central coast of Tamil Nadu, India. Sediment samples were collected at 5 km intervals throughout the berm region and brought to the laboratory for heavy mineral separation and quantitative analysis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray technology (EDX) were used to analyze the structure and composition of heavy minerals. Quantitative results show that magnetite, ilmenite, garnet, zircon and rutile are the dominant heavy minerals in beach sand. The presence of heavy minerals was confirmed by microscopic and XRD analysis, and SEM and EDX results confirmed their properties and origin. Overall, mineralogical and petrological studies have revealed the transport mechanism and variables affecting the process of placer enrichment along the coast.