Abstract

The mineralogical composition of 30 sedimental samples of upper surface from Cauvery and Kollidam Rivers in
Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India has been analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
The compounds observed in the spectrum are quartz, kaolinite, feldspar, calcite, hematite, biotite, magnetite,
illite, and organic carbon. From the observed compounds, quartz has been found in almost all the samples. The
metallic elements have been analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry and the presence of iron, manganese;
zinc and copper are found to be low compared to standard values. The percentage of sand, silt, and clay in the
samples has been estimated by granulometric analysis.