Grain Size Analysis and Characterization of Sedimentary Process in Tidal Flat of Chandipur Region, East Coast of India

Abstract

Sediment characteristics and distribution analysis along the Chandipur Coast in Odisha, India was performed using a variety of techniques that include sedimentary characteristics including variation in grain size, shape and character of quartz grain surfaces (determined in light microscope and electron microscope scanning). Samples were taken from various locations representing high-tide areas and low-tide areas for analysis of the grain size, intended to determine physical properties and textural parameters such as mean, sorting, skewness and kurtosis. Grain size distribution research was conducted to characterize sedimentary transportation behaviours. CM diagram defines the rolling, saltation and graded suspension process for sediment deposition at the beach. Linear Discriminant Function (LDF) indicates the superiority of marine environment with lower deposition areas. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to examine the quartz grains to determine the origin of the sediments and to establish the physical and chemical processes that occurred during their period of deposition in recent coastal sediments.

Keywords:

• Coastal zone
• grain size
• micromorphology
• tidal flat

Acknowledgements

We are really thankful to Swarnadwip Saha for his help during the field work. This research was financially and logistically supported by project proposal 1970/R-2019. KS is also thankful to Department of Geology, University of Calcutta and University of North Bengal for their infrastructural and logistic support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.