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Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of quaternary sedimentation in eastern Sri Lanka: An ichnological study

  • Research Articles
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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Quaternary sediment deposits are well exposed along the eastern coastal margin of Sri Lanka. Systematic trace fossil studies along with sediment characteristics have been carried out for the first time to interpret the paleoenvironment that prevailed during Quaternary sedimentation in eastern Sri Lanka. The trace fossils Thalassinoides, Skolithos and Polykladichnus have been recognized about 5m above the present mean sea level. Features of the major trace fossil, Thalassinoides, indicate that it was formed by Thalassinidean shrimp Calianassa. Isolated, vertical to steeply inclined, cylindrical to sub cylindrical tubes with thin internal wall lining and inner wall striations of Skolithos and Polykladichnus show that they were formed by polychaetes. The typical characteristic of Polykladichnus isY-shaped branching with slight enlargement at junctions. Morphology and association of burrows as well as mineralogy, grain size and roundness of sediments indicate that the environment prevailed was marine soft grounds of the intertidal zone. Presence of preserved fine-scale features of burrows indicate that the bioturbated sandy tidal flat was suddenly exposed to the tropical environment due to sea level regression in Quaternary periods. Due to the microbial activities of wall linings, burrows were preserved and it was supported by other microbial activities that produced secondary iron bearing minerals that suffered subsequent oxidation. The bio-origination of red sediments of eastern coastal area of the present study can be used to interpret the debatable origin of the red beds found in northwestern and southeastern coastal areas of the island.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil, Sri Lanka

    Madurya Adikaram

  2. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, 20400, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Amarasooriya Pitawala

  3. Department of Geosciences, Graduate School of Sc. & Eng., Shimane University, Matsue, Japan

    Hiroaki Ishiga

  4. Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sri Jayawardhanapura University, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

    Daham Jayawardhana

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  1. Madurya Adikaram
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  2. Amarasooriya Pitawala
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  4. Daham Jayawardhana
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Correspondence to Madurya Adikaram.

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Acknowledgement The Head of the Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya and Head of the Department of Physical Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka are also acknowledged for providing the laboratory facilities. The research was financially supported by University Grant Commission, Sri Lanka (Grant No. UGC/DRIC/PG/2014AUG/SEUSL/01).

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Adikaram, M., Pitawala, A., Ishiga, H. et al. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of quaternary sedimentation in eastern Sri Lanka: An ichnological study. J Geol Soc India 89, 71–76 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0560-8

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