Grain-size & Coarse-fraction Studies of Sediments between Vengurla & Mangalore on the Western Continental Shelf of India

231-238Grain size analysis reveals that except for distinguishing inner shelf and outer shelf environments no further division of the environment is possible. Coarse-fraction of sediments ranges from 0.1 to 99%. In general, inner shelf sediments are dominated by rock fragments and minerals (9.89%) while in outer shelf and slope sediments skeletal components constitute 15 to 100%. Non-skeletal components on outer shelf consist of ooids, grapestones and pelletoids (0.25 to 30%) in addition to rock fragments and minerals (3 to 68%). Skeletal components of inner shelf and outer shelf are dominantly foraminifera and molluscs while on slope they largely consist of foraminifera. Comparison of the carbonate assemblage of these sediments with those of the northern part shows minor differences in the non-skeletal components. A comparison of this area with the other continental shelves of the world indicates a general similarity in the assemblage