Radiometric, Magnetic Susceptibility and Mineralogical Studies in Some Beach Placers of Andhra Pradesh, East Coast of India

Radiometric, magnetic susceptibility and mineralogical studies were carried out on the beach placer deposits in three different coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh: Hamsaladivi-Manginipudi (Region I), Vasishta Godavari-Upputeru (Region II) and Visakhapatnam-Bheemunipatnam (Region III). Radioactivity is highest in Region III and Iowestin Region I. Zircon being non-radioactive and other radioactive minerals being rare or absent; monazite is the only source of radioactivity in the three regions. Ilmenite is predominant in Region III and magnetite in Region I. Higher concentration of monazite is associated with ilmenite and not with magnetite. The Eastern Ghats provenance is the major source of ilmenite and monazite. It is suggested that pospecting for monazite and ilmenite in East Coast of India beaches is best done by a combination of radiometric and magnetic susceptibility techniques.