GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ILMENITE SANDS OF CHHATRAPUR BEACH PLACER DEPOSIT OF ORISSA, INDIA: A PIXE STUDY

Abstract

Geochemical characteristics of detrital ilmenites of Chhatrapur beach placer deposit studied by PIXE and EDXRF methods. Ilmenite occurs as the major constituent of the heavy mineral assemblages. The detrital ilmenite contains TiO 2 52.52 - 56.85 wt%, FeO 1, (total Fe ) 38.36 - 42.28 wt%, in addition to trace amounts of Al , Mg , Si , Ca , V , Cr , Mn , Cu and Zn . The khondalite-charnockite suites of Eastern Ghats Group of rocks were important source rocks for the ilmenite bearing heavy mineral sands. Based on TiO 2 concentration in the detrital ilmenite grains, which suggests that the principal source rocks were high grade metamorphic rocks. Ti /( Ti + Fe ) ratio in the ilmenite varied from 0.50 to 0.52, which indicates slight oxidation. FeO/Fe 2 O 3 ratio (3.20) in the concentrates indicates that around one third of the ferrous iron content of the ilmenites has been oxidized by weathering.