Grain size and clay mineral distribution up to 45 cm depth in the silty clay sediments from 26 box cores from 10°to 16°S along four longitudes（73.5°-76.5°E）were studied for understanding spatial ...Grain size and clay mineral distribution up to 45 cm depth in the silty clay sediments from 26 box cores from 10°to 16°S along four longitudes（73.5°-76.5°E）were studied for understanding spatial variability in the Central Indian Basin（CIB）.It was observed that the average sand content in the basin is 3.8%,which decreases systematically and longitudinally to 0.3%towards south.The average illite and chlorite major clay mineral abundance also decrease southwards along the four longitudes from 10°S,and show the limit of influence of the Ganges-Brahmaputra river＇s supply up to 10°S.However, the average clay content increases from west to east in the basin,and southwards along 73.5°E and either side of the 76.5°E fracture zone（FZ）,which strongly suggests the possibility of clay supply due to circulation of Antarctic Bottom Water（AABW）from the south through the FZ.The distribution of four clay minerals along 73°and 76.5°E FZ in the CIB shows dissimilar trends of increase and decrease,and indicate a mix environment in the basin.This study indicates that the FZ in the CIB has an important role in controlling the distribution of clay minerals.展开更多
基金Financial support provided by the D.O.D.and MoES, New Delhi,under the project,'Environmental Impact Assessment studies of nodule mining'
文摘Grain size and clay mineral distribution up to 45 cm depth in the silty clay sediments from 26 box cores from 10°to 16°S along four longitudes（73.5°-76.5°E）were studied for understanding spatial variability in the Central Indian Basin（CIB）.It was observed that the average sand content in the basin is 3.8%,which decreases systematically and longitudinally to 0.3%towards south.The average illite and chlorite major clay mineral abundance also decrease southwards along the four longitudes from 10°S,and show the limit of influence of the Ganges-Brahmaputra river＇s supply up to 10°S.However, the average clay content increases from west to east in the basin,and southwards along 73.5°E and either side of the 76.5°E fracture zone（FZ）,which strongly suggests the possibility of clay supply due to circulation of Antarctic Bottom Water（AABW）from the south through the FZ.The distribution of four clay minerals along 73°and 76.5°E FZ in the CIB shows dissimilar trends of increase and decrease,and indicate a mix environment in the basin.This study indicates that the FZ in the CIB has an important role in controlling the distribution of clay minerals.
