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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology
Print ISSN: 2395-6011 | Online ISSN: 2395-602X (www.ijsrst.com)
doi : https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRST229367
314
Environmental Magnetism, Geochemical and Textural Characteristics of the Sediments of
Beypore Estuary, Northern Kerala, India: Implication on Environmental Processes
B.S. Praseetha
*1,2
, V.I. Tiju
1
, T.N. Prakash
1,3
, G. Sreenivasulu
4
, R. Nagendra
5
1
Marine Geoscience Group, National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
2
Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin,
Kerala, India
3
National Institute of Advanced Studies, IISC Bangalore, Karnataka, India
4
Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
5
Formerly, Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author: praseethabs@gmail.com
Article Info
Volume 9, Issue 3
Page Number : 314-334
Publication Issue
May-June-2022
Article History
Accepted : 10 May 2022
Published : 30 May 2022
ABSTRACT
The inter-relationship between the environmental magnetic parameters,
geochemical and granulometric distribution are addressed in this paper to
assess the environmental conditions employing the surficial sediments of
Beypore Estuary, Kerala. The magnetic results elucidate the dominance of
magnetic grain size in the lower estuary, magnetic concentration in the middle,
and magnetic mineral in the upper estuary, respectively. The magnetic
parameters confirm the presence of ferrimagnetic minerals such as magnetite
in the estuary. The geochemical elements affinity attribute towards the lower
estuary. Further, intense weathering in the lower estuary and moderate to
weak weathering in the middle and upper estuary are observed which is
reflected in the micro-texture features of quartz grains. The Beypore sediments
are moderately polluted based on the pollution indices. The finding elucidates
the combination of natural and anthropogenic activities, controlling the
environmental conditions in the estuary.
Keywords : Estuary, Environmental magnetism, Geochemistry, Sediment
texture
I. INTRODUCTION
An estuary is a dynamic system that connects the river
and the ocean. The sedimentary archives are preserved,
and several more sediment proxies aid in defining the
depositional environment. The estuary is divided into
three sections: the marine or lower estuary (free
connection to the open sea), the middle estuary
(mixing of saline and freshwater), and the upper
estuary (upper or fluvial estuary) [1]. They are the
natural sinks for heavy metals and magnetic minerals
from a variety of sources, including natural and
anthropogenic activities. Magnetic particles in coastal
sediments are frequently produced from terrestrial