Disaster Advances Vol.

7 (7) July 2014

67

Sediment transport patterns, hydrodynamic conditions
and clay mineral distributions at Coleroon River
Estuary, East Coast of India
Venkatramanan S.
1, 2
, Chung S.Y.*
1
and Ramkumar T.
2
1. Institute of Environmental Geosciences, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Pukyong National University,
599-1 Daeyeon-dong Nam-gu, Busan 608-737, KOREA
2. Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608502, Tamilnadu, INDIA
*[email protected]

Abstract
The present study was carried out in order to study
the textural characteristics of sediments and their
seasonal changes along with the Coleroon estuary.
Sediment samples were collected at different stations
in monsoon, postmonsoon, summer and premonsoon
seasons from 2009 to 2010. Spatial variations in
grain-size parameters (i.e. grain-size trends) contain
information on sediment transport patterns. Analytical
procedures have been proposed using the grain-size
trends to determine sediment transport pathways.

Spatial distribution of sediments clearly indicated
more finer particles deposited at mid estuarine region
compared to at mouth and freshwater region.
Hydrodynamic condition of Coleroon estuarine
sediments indicates moderate to high energy
condition. The grain size trend analysis indicates the
estuarine sediments belong to type-1 trend F, B (finer,
better sorted more negative skewed). Clay mineral
studies exhibit the observed order of abundance
minerals are illite followed by the kaolinite+chlorite,
montmorillonite and gibssite. The higher percentage
of clay minerals was present at estuary and mouth
regions when compared to the freshwater region.

Keywords: Coleroon estuary, spatial distribution, trend
analysis, hydrodynamic condition, clay mineral
distribution.

Introduction
Estuaries are sinks for sediments derived from rivers but
additionally from the marine environment. An obvious
reason is that estuaries act as an effective shelter against,
strong waves and currents. However, in addition, water and
sediment transport mechanisms actively prevent the escape
of sediments. This estuarine environment acts as an
important sink of fine grained suspended sediments in
relation to the complex chemical and physical processes
associated with the mixing zone between fresh and salt
waters. The grain size analysis of sediments provides an
indication of shear stress in relation with particle movement
13,14
.
The study of sediments makes it possible to understand the
dynamic process operating the environment. Grain size
parameters are widely used as indicators of different
sedimentary environments.
20,24
They mainly depend on the
factors like availability of source material, medium of
transport action, physiography and geomorphology of the
area including winds, tides, waves, climate and long shore
current
18,23
. In the estuary, environment is inferred by tides,
currents and also by flocculation. Grain size data have been
used for recognizing and interpreting the depositional
environment of the sediments.
27
Several attempts have been
made to differentiate the sediments from widely varying
environments like beach and river etc., based on the grain
size parameters.
1,12,25,31-33, 35, 38,39


Clay plays a major role in human life. Clay occurs naturally
almost everywhere and it is resulted by the action of
weathering on several kinds of rocks as slow geological
process. It also happens wherever the rocks are exposed to
the natural forces of wind, water, frost etc. The clay
mineralogy is useful in determining the distributions,
sources and dispersal routes of fine grained sediments from
which current patterns can be inferred. Clay minerals of
surficial sediments have been widely used as a first order
guide to the source, environment and the transport path of
fine grained sediments
2,3
. The fine grained sediments act as
sorbents of metal contaminants
11
.

From environmental point of view, clay minerals have
greater control on the degree to which contaminants (heavy
metals, organic molecules) are incorporated into the
sediment via both adsorption and absorption processes
13,14
.
X-ray diffraction is a valuable tool in determining the
mineralogy of sediments and rock. The purpose of the
present study is to obtain the sediment transport pathways,
hydrodynamic condition and the contents of clay minerals
such as illite, kaolinite, chlorite, montmorillonite and
gibbsite. The abundance and distribution of clay minerals
were studied for identifying the sources of sediments in
Coleroon estuarine environment.

Regional setting
The Coleroon estuary exists in state of Tamilnadu and is
one of the dynamic tropical estuaries along the east coast of
India. It is the main tributary of Cauvery river. The study
area is located at latitudes 11
0
4 to 10
0
56 N and
longitudes 79
0
28 to 70
0
40 E in Tamilnadu state. The
region is covered by the Survey of India topographic sheets
No. 58 M/ 15. fig. 1 shows the location of the study area in
India and in particular to Tamilnadu. The main river
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

68

originates from the Brahmagiri range of Western Ghats and
travels 700 km. It bifurcates into Coleroon and flows more
than 163 km before emptying into Bay of Bengal.

The main Cauvery River covers a drainage area of
approximately 90,000 km
2
in the southern part of the Indian
sub-continent. It flows through a densely populated area,
from Coorg in the Western Ghats. Before emptying, it
divides into a large number of distributaries forming a wide
delta. The river and its main tributaries in the upstream
(Hemavati, Kabini, Bhavani and Amaravati) drain a wide
variety of Precambrian rocks (schists, shales, gneisses,
granite gneisses), and quaternary sediments.
36,40
The
climate over the Cauvery basin is tropical. The volume of
this rain-fed river fluctuates seasonally. Cauvery and its
tributary Coleroon are the most utilized rivers in Tamilnadu
and are considerably important for its irrigation.

Geology of the area mainly comprises of quaternary
sediments and the thickness increases at the south of
Coleroon river (Fig. 2). These sediments have been
delineated as alluvial plain deposit of the Cauvery river and
its distributaries. Narrow fluvio-marine deltaic plain
deposits and marine coastal plain deposits are also observed
in Coleroon estuary (east coast formation). The fluvial
deposits comprise flood plain, flood basin, point bar,
channel bar and palaeo-channels with admixtures of sand,
silt and clay.

The Cretaceous formations of the coastal tract of the
Cauvery basin consist of faunal rich marine sedimentary
rocks, namely limestones, sandstones, clays and sandy beds,
etc. The mouth of the river comprises alluvium deposits
which are composed of clays and silts. The major mineral
assemblage of Coleroon river sediments are quartz, feldspar
pyroxenes, and amphiboles.

Methods
Sediment sampling: The investigations have been carried
out for two years from 2009 to 2010 and covered four
seasons (monsoon, postmonsoon, summer, premonsoon).
Five stations were selected and divided into fresh water
zone, estuarine and mouth zone. Sediment samples were
collected by using a Van Veen grab sampler on board hired
fishing boat. Sub-sampling of the sediments was done by
taking upper 5cm of the sample from grab with help of
plastic spatula. Locations were identified by global
positioning system (GPS, GARMAN 76CSx). The
collected sediment samples were dried at 60
0
C for further
analysis. Dried samples were sieved at 750m sieve.

Granulometric Analysis: Textural analysis of the
sediments was carried out by the combined method of
sieving and pipette analysis after taking known quantity of
dried sample by coning and quartering method. Dry sieving
was made at phi interval for the size range from 63 to
2,500m, used by Retch Digital Sieve Shaker (AS 200) for
20 minutes. Further, in order to determine the grain size
fractions of less than 63m, pipette analysis was used
21,22
.
The results of the sieving and pipette analyses were
combined into a cumulative frequency curve. The statistics
for the characteristics of grain size distributions were
calculated using GSSTAT and SEDPLOT programs.
28,29

Sediment classification was proposed using the sediment
classification mapping of Arc GIS (ver.10.2)
16
. Pathways of
sediments using grain size trend analysis were performed
by TRANSVEC

in combination with SURFER (ver. 12)
17
.

Clay Mineralogy: Three stations (1, 3 and 5) sediment
samples were selected for clay mineral identification, and
determined by X-ray diffraction equipment (model
PANNalytical XPert MRD). Further, identify clay
minerals in systematic searching of the JCPDS (Joint
Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards) powder
diffraction index of minerals. The relative abundance of
major clay minerals was semi-quantitatively determined.

Results and Discussion
Spatial distribution of Sediments: The spatial distribution
map of the sediments in Coleroon estuary is shown in fig.
3. This classification was used as a basis for the distribution
of sand, silt and clay using USGS Arc GIS Map sediment
classification program
16
. The sand, silt and clay percentage
are shown in table 1. During postmonsoon, summer and
premonsoon seasons, silty sand was observed at stations 2,
3, 4, whereas sand nature was recorded at stations 1 and 5.
It indicates a low hydraulic energy condition in estuarine
region particularly during summer season where the finer
sediment was added. During this period, the sediments are
transported to the estuarine region while the sand sediments
were deposited in the fresh water zone as higher energy
zone. This indicates non-liner sand-mud mixing under
complex hydrodynamic condition
15,30,38
.

Hydrodynamic condition based on modified triangular
diagram: The revised textural classification scheme was
proposed by Flemming et al
19
and this method was used to
identify the hydrodynamic condition of the study area. For
the revised diagrams 25 textural classes as shown in table
2. This triangular diagram is used to know hydrodynamic
regimes of the different environment. It indicates that
estuarine region hydrodynamic energy ranges from high to
moderate. During the study period, the sediment samples
fall in sand (S), slightly silty sand (A-I), slightly clayey
sand (A-II), very silty sand (B-I), silty sand (B-II), clayey
sand (B-III), silty sand (B-II), clayey sand (B-III). This
indicates the high energy to moderate energy condition as
represented in fig. 4.

Sediment transport pattern: The sediment dynamics in
estuarine environment is mainly dependent on the water
circulation induced by river-marine forcing. The grain-size
parameters of surface and bottom sediments were used to
establish the transport direction of sediments using
SURFER (ver. 12). This method is based on the assumption
that along the direction of sediments transport, grain size
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

69

parameters are classified into four trends: Type 1 - F, B,

-
(Finer, better sorted, more negative skewed), Type 2- C, B,
+ (Coarser, better sorted, more positive skewed), Type 3-
C, B, - (Coarser, better sorted, more positive skewed), Type
4- F, B, + (Finer, better sorted, more negative skewed)
4-6,17
.

In the present study, estuarine region with respect to trend
analysis showed the combination of the textural parameters
(mean grain size, standard deviation, skewness) of trend 1
type (F, B, -). It is the characteristics of finer, better sorted
and more negative skewed sediment type. The transport
pathways are mainly directed towards the downstream of
the Coleroon river. In particular, the sediments in the part
of river were brought from the upstream due to the velocity
of the flowing water. On the other hand, in the eastern part,
the sediment is mainly transported from the estuarine
region. This indicates the mixing of fresh and saline waters
due to tidal current in the estuarine region. The study area
is characterized by a convergence of transport vector from
two directions, and by the deposition of sediments coming
from two environments of river and coast (Fig. 5).

Clay mineral distribution: The major minerals identified
in study area are as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphiboles, and
clay minerals such as illite, kaolinite+chloride,
montmorellonite and gibbsite (Fig.6). Illite is the most
abundant clay mineral in the sediments of the Coleroon
estuary environment. It ranges from 66.51% to 79.05%
(Table 3). The higher percentage of illite is observed in
premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons compared to
monsoon and summer seasons. It is because illite is the
most dominant mineral species of clay mineral in the
argillaceous sedimentary rocks. The higher percentage of
illite is observed at the station 1, the mouth of estuarine
region. It indicates the montmorillonite can be converted to
illite by absorbing more potassium ions from saline waters
8-
10,34,37
.
Second dominant clay mineral in estuarine region is
kaolinte+chlorite ranged from 19.24% to 29.52%. The
higher percentage of kaolinite+chlorite is observed in
summer and postmonsoon seasons, compared to monsoon
and premonsoon seasons. In general, Cauvery river system
drains mainly through metamorphic rocks composed of
quartz and feldspar. The kaolinite+chlorite is the most
important products of silicate alteration in quaternary
sediments. In the present study, it is inferred that the
formation of kaolinite and chlorite is mainly controlled by
the drainage basin rock types
26
.

Montmorillonite is the least abundant mineral in Coleroon
estuary. It ranges from 0.77% to 2.83%. The higher
percentage of montmorillonite is noticed in premonsoon
and summer seasons compared to postmonsoon and
monsoon seasons. It was derived from the source rocks
which have considerable amount of magnesium released
from the weathered zone
10
. The increased content of
montmorillonite in sediments is related to the variation in
the salinity of water. The montmorillonite has the smallest
size which would help it remain in suspension for long time
than kaolinite
7
.

The percentage of gibbsite is varied from 0.74% to 5.86%,
as the fourth abundant clay mineral. A higher percentage of
gibbsite is observed in postmonsoon and premonsoon
seasons compared to monsoon and summer seasons. The
gibbsite is the most important product of silicate alteration
in lateritic soils. The main source of gibbsite is related with
the weathering of gneissic rocks and quaternary sediments
3
.
From the above observation, it is concluded that clay
minerals were mainly derived from the source rocks rather
than diagenesis. Their distribution in the estuarine
environments depends mainly on the hydrodynamic
condition and differential flocculation of size segregation.


Table 1
Percentage of sand, silt and clay in estuarine environment



Estuary (2009-2010)
Stations/
Seasons
Monsoon Postmonsoon Summer Premonsoon
Sand
%
Silt
%
Clay
%
Sand
%
Silt
%
Clay
%
Sand
%
Silt
%
Clay
%
Sand
%
Silt
%
Clay
%
1
95.87 3.07 1.06 92.59 5.53 1.88 91.12 6.23 2.65 93.22 5.44 1.34
2
74.44 20.04 5.52 67.51 25.44 7.05 60.75 29.03 10.22 71.52 22.44 6.04
3
62.44 28.44 9.12 56.9 32.66 10.44 52.33 35.02 12.65 59.23 30.68 10.09
4
72.55 20.12 7.33 66.93 24.98 8.09 62.66 28.29 9.05 70.55 22.01 7.44
5
95.01 3.54 1.45 94.51 3.75 1.74 93.98 4.04 1.98 94.69 3.66 1.65
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

70

































Figure 1: Map showing the location of study area.




































Figure 2: Map showing the geology of the study area

Source Geological Survey of India (GSI)




River
Fluvio Marine (Qfm), Marine (Qm)
Moulding/Silica sand
LEGEND
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

71









































Figure 3: Spatial distribution map of the sediments in Coleroon estuary during (2009-2010).






















Figure 4: Ternary diagrams for a revised textural classification of hydrodynamic condition in estuary during study
period.

Monsoon Summer
Premonsoon
Postmonsoon
s
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

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Figure 5: Sediment transport using a grain-size trend analysis at Coleroon river estuary



Table 2
Revised 25 textural classes based on sand/ silt/clay ratios
19
.



































Code Textural Class
S Sand
A-I Slightly silty sand
A-II Slightly clayey sand
B-I Very silty sand
B-II Silty sand
B-III Clayey sand
B-IV Very clayey sand
C-I Extremely silty sandy mud
C-II Very silty sandy mud
C-III Silty sandy mud
C-IV Clayey sandy mud
C-V Very clayey sandy mud
C-VI Extremely clayey sandy mud
D-I Extremely silty slightly sandy mud
D-II Very silty slightly sandy mud
D-III Silty slightly sandy mud
D-IV Clayey slightly sandy mud
D-V Very clayey slightly sandy mud
D-VI Extremely clayey slightly sandy mud
E-I Silt
E-II Slightly clayey silt
E-III Clayey silt
E-IV Silty clay
E-V Slightly silty clay
E-VI Clay
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

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2
C I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
Monsoon
Postmonsoon
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
1
I
I
K+C G
K+C
M
2 theta
2
C I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
3
C
I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
5
3
1
2
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
1
C
I
I
K+C
K+C
G
2 theta
3
C
I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
5
3
1
2
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

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Figure 6: XRD patterns of estuarine region during 2009-2010.


10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
1
C
I
C
I
K G
K
K
+
C
2 theta
2
C I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
3
C
I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
5
3
1
2
Summer Premonsoon
3
C I
I
K+C
G
K+C
M
2
C
I
I
K+C
G
C
K+C
M
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
1
I
I
K+C G
K+C
M
2 theta
5
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
Disaster Advances Vol. 7 (7) July 2014

75

Table 3
Clay mineral percentage in estuarine region













I Illite, K+C Kaolinite+Chlorite, M-Montmorillonite, G-Gibbsite

Conclusion
The present study deals with the distributions of clay
minerals and the hydrodynamics of sediment in Coleroon
river estuary. During summer and postmonsoon seasons,
finer sediments are observed in estuarine region when
compared to mouth and freshwater region. In case of
monsoon season, lower finer sediment deposition is
observed in estuarine region. Silty sand is observed at
estuarine part, whereas sand type of sediments is shown at
station-1 and 5 (mouth and freshwater region).
Hydrodynamic processes in estuary sediments suggest high
to moderate energy conditions.

The grain size trend analysis indicates the estuarine
sediments belong to type-1 trend F, B, - (finer, better sorted
more negative skewed). The clay mineral in this study area
shows that the order of abundance is Illite followed by the
kaolinite+chlorite, montmorillonite and gibssite. The higher
quantity of clay minerals is represented in estuary and
mouth region compared to the freshwater region. We
understand that these sediment transport patterns are related
to the relative importance of estuarine dynamics which may
themselves be a function of wave energy condition of Bay
of Bengal coast.

Acknowledgement
This work was supported by a Research Grant of Pukyong
National University (2014 Year).

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3 76.76 19.43 1.43 2.38 73.26 21.49 1.65 3.60
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5 73.84 20.99 1.56 3.61 74.77 21.95 2.07 1.22
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(Received 07
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February 2014, accepted 25
th
March 2014)