Heavy minerals in the study of sediments: their application and limitations

Abstract

Heavy mineral fractions in sediments are often composed of diverse mineral species, in which each grain conveys its own history. It is the sedimentary petrologist’s task to decipher the message encoded in the assemblages and apply them for the purpose of:

• (a) determining provenance: reconstructing the nature and character of source areas;

• (b) tracing sediment transport paths: these are especially useful for complementing palaeocurrent analyses;

• (c) mapping sediment-dispersal patterns;

• (d) delineating sedimentary petrological provinces;

• (e) outlining, and in suitable cases correlating, various sand bodies;

• (f) indicating the action of particular hydraulic regimes and concentrating processes;

• (g) locating potential economic deposits;

• (h) eluciding diagenetic processes.

Where observation is concerned chance favours only the prepared mind

Louis Pasteur 1822–95