Clay minerals and trace metal association in the Gangolli estuarine Sediments, West Coast of India

Abstract

X-ray diffraction analysis of the clay fraction of surficial sediments of Gangolli estuary reveals that smectite is the dominant clay mineral followed by kaolinitechlorite and illite. The distribution of clay minerals is almost uniform throughout the estuary. Most of the trace elements, except Cu, Pb, Zn and Ti, do not show any association with clay minerals. This may be due to the desorption of trace elements which normally takes place in high saline estuarine environment. Organic matter and calcium do not show any significant effect on the abundance and distribution of clay minerals. It appears that the detrital source is the dominating factor in influencing the relative abundance of clay minerals in the estuary.