TEXTURE OF INNER SHELF SEDIMENTS OFF PENNER RIVER, EAST-COAST OF INDIA

Grain size studies of surface sediments off Penner river shelf have been carried out. Though there is wide range in the sediment types, the shelf is predominantly occupied by sands. The inner shelf(< 20 m isobath) is composed of silty sands and clays, which are transported towards north by prevailing waves and currents from the fluvial source. Grain size parameters and C-M pattern suggest that the offshore coarse sediments are deposited from beach and shallow marine origin predominantly by rolling. Further the coarse sands are considered to be relict and represent a beach deposit; which may be the result of Flandrian (Holocene) transgression. The well preserved sands indicate that the existing hydrodynamic conditions on the inner outer shelf are strong enough neither to rework the sediments nor transport river contributed fine sediments. to the outer parts.