Significance of textural analysis in the sediments of Kayamkulam lake, southwest coast of India

Abstract

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Surface sediment samples of the Kayamkulam lake, located within the Quaternary geological province in the southwest coast of India, have been studied for textural characteristics. Lake bed is composed of a wide spectrum of sediment types, viz: muddy sand, silty sand, clayey sand, silt, sandy mud, sand, sandy silt and mud. Most of the sediment samples are of medium to very fine grained, moderately sorted, negatively skewed and mesokurtic sands. CM pattern shows that the sediments are transported mainly by suspension and rolling. Textural parameters together with the CM pattern indicate the prominent role of ebbing and flooding in changing the characteristics of sediments in the Kayamkulam lake, especially in the estuarine mouth and adjoining areas. Present study reveals that hinterland drainages play significant role in changing the textural characteristics in the northern and southern arms of the lake.

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