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Abstract:
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This study enfolds the environment of
deposition and the lateral variation in texture,
mineralogy and geochemistry of the Ashtamudy lake
sediments. While the heavy mineral and clay mineral
investigations enable us to decipher the nature, texture
and source of sediments; organic matter and carbonate
contents and the geochemical analysis of major and minor
elements help establish the distribution and
concentration of the same in regard to the various
physico-chemical processes operating in the lake.
Study of trace elements holds prime importance in
this work, since their concentrations can be used to
outline the extent of contaminated bottom area, as well as
the source and dispersal paths of discharged_pollutants.
In short, this study brings out a vivid picture of the
mineralogy and geochemistry of the lake sediments
in different environments, viz., the freshwater, brackish
water and marine environments that are confined to
the eastern, central and western parts of the lake
respectively. For the better understanding and
expression of the results of the analysis, the lake
has been divided into 3 zones namely: eastern part,
central part and western part. |