Geochemical studies of clays from red sediments of Visakhapatnam coast, east coast of India

20-23Red sediments, characterised by badland like topography, found along the Visakhapatnam - Bhimunipatnam coast and associated with khondalite hill ranges comprise 60-70% (quartz + heavies), 20% silt and 10% ferruginous clay. Kaolinite and illite proportions are dominant in the clays of the red sediments and compare fairly with the clays from the offshore region. The similar concentration of elements - K, Fe, Ti, Cr,Co, Ba, Sr and Pb - supports the clay input from the red sediments into the shelf region, Ti, V, Mn, Cr with Fe and Sr, Ba, Pb with K show positive relationship, which reflects alteration of detrital magnetite and ilmenite and orthoclase in the source rocks