Texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of Teri sediments from the Kuthiraimozhi deposit, Southern Tamilnadu, India: implications on provenance, weathering and palaeoclimate

Abstract The study examines about the red sand dune deposit locally designated as teri deposits; it is an omnipresent geomorphologic feature present in coastal region of Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts Tamil Nadu, India. One inland outcrops located around Kuthiraimozhi village district Textural, mineralogical geochemical studies were carried out sediments its compact sandstone outcrops. are moderately sorted to well-sorted finely skewed nature which indicates that fluvio-marine depositional environment. Geochemical analysis results major, trace rare earth elements for deposits help predict provenance, weathering status, environment climate. reveals derived from marine non-marine sources. Teri geochemically classified lithic arenite or wacke. Petrography X-ray diffraction reveal predominance quartz feldspars along with accessory minerals like ilmenite, rutile, garnet, magnetite, hematite, zircon, diopside, hypersthenes biotite. Mineralogical observation illustrates have originated felsic mafic source rocks. Chemical Index Alteration (CIA) values represent moderate high status conditions area. fine-grained maturity index. Despite formed by sources, reddening character due oxidation leaching iron-bearing percolating surface water rainfall groundwater fluctuation aquifer under arid semi-arid climate conditions.