Geochemical Characterization and Provenance Study of Ilmenites from Fluvial Sediments of River Cauvery in Parts of Tamil Nadu, Southern India

Abstract

The Cauvery river is the third longest flowing river in South India. This river flows through three southern
Indian states (Karnataka, Tamil-Nadu and Puducherry). The river Cauvery takes its birth at a place called Talacauvery
in the state of Karnataka, and after a long journey of 800 km from the Western-Ghats finally forms a delta and joins the
Bay of Bengal in the east. This river traverses high grade metamorphic rocks. Ilmenites are good indicators of
provenance and several researchers throughout the globe have contributed on this aspect. Present study is focused on
chemical characterization of the detrital ilmenite from the fluvial sediments of downstream of the river Cauvery. The
TiO2 content of ilmenites varies from 46.42 to 51.28 wt%, whereas iron oxide values range between 46.35-50.68 wt. %.
The detrital ilmenite grains are primary in nature and have not subjected to any alteration. By chemistry we can
conclude that basic suites are source for the ilmenites in fluvial sediments of river Cauvery.