Analysis of Intensity of Weathering on Detrital Sediments of Gadilam River, Tamil Nadu, India

 Intensity of weathering can be measured by means of various indices and there is no strict scale of measure due to various factors involved in this process. Each and every index has its own merits and demerits like consideration of Mechanical agencies, Chemical processes or both. The oxidation state of iron in a weathering profile is influenced by the interaction between rock and groundwater. Clay Minerals, Carbonates and Oxidation of Iron content present in the detrital grains is the indicator of weathering during transportation and deposition. The presence of clay, Carbonates and Fe content in the upstream of Gadilam River basin are more and are declining towards the Beach. Common Quartz/Feldspar index, Resistant Minerals Zircon/Tourmaline index and less Resistant Mineral Amphibole /pyroxene Index are exhibiting influence of additional sources in the beach in addition with the river contribution. The USGS Sedimentological Tool, Geostatistical analysis, CM pattern and Visher’s diagram also supplement such probabilities.