Grain Size Distribution and Mineralogy of the Suspended Sediments of Mahanadi River

Considering the enormity of sediment load transported by the Mahadnadi river (approximately 15.74∗10⁶ tonnes/year), a,study has been conducted to uncover the groinsize distribution mid clay minerals present in the suspended load which is found to be poorly sorted, mostly fine skewed and very leptokurtic. Increasing water discharge not only increases mean size but improves the sorting of sediments. Sediment size ranges from 1-25 μm and are mostly derived from the sedimentary formations in the basin. Thc Hirakud dam constructed in the Mnhanadi river basin traps coarser scdirnents. Illite is the dotninant clay mineral followed by knolinite, chlorite and montniorillonite. Futher, clays do show preferences to specific size ranges.