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Rare earth elements distribution in clay zones of sedimentary formation, Pondicherry, south India

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Abstract

Concentrations of five rare earth elements (REE) were measured in clay samples of a deep bore hole comprising major aquifers of Pondicherry region, south India in order to investigate the geochemical variations among various litho-units. Clay samples from Cretaceous formation show distinct gray to black color whereas Tertiary deposits have clays with color varying from pale yellow to brown to gray. All measured REEs exhibit lower concentrations than Upper Continental Crust (UCC) average values. Large variations in REEs contents were observed in different sedimentary formations (Tertiary and Cretaceous). Chondrite normalized ratio of La/Lu and Eu/Eu* indicate that the clays are derived from weathering of felsic rock and possibly under humid climate. All the samples showed positive Eu anomaly in North American Shale Composite (NASC) normalized plot which shows plagioclase feldspar as the major contributor to these clays. Positive Eu anomaly is also an indication of reduced condition of the formation.

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Acknowledgments

Authors sincerely acknowledge the constant support and encouragement by Dr. V. Venugopal, former Director, Radiochemistry and Isotope Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. Thanks are also due to Dr. A. V. R. Reddy, Head, Analytical Chemistry Division and Dr. R. Acharya of Radiochemistry Division for their guidance and helpful suggestions during the course of this study. Dr. Kallol Swain of Analytical Chemistry Division is duly acknowledged for the help during experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Isotope Applications Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    K. Tirumalesh &  Gursharan Singh

  2. Radiochemistry and Isotope Group, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    K. L. Ramakumar

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, 608002, India

    S. Chidambaram

  4. Agricultural Department, Pondicherry, India

    S. Pethaperumal

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  1. K. Tirumalesh
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  2. K. L. Ramakumar
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  3. S. Chidambaram
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  4. S. Pethaperumal
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  5. Gursharan Singh
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Correspondence to K. L. Ramakumar.

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Tirumalesh, K., Ramakumar, K.L., Chidambaram, S. et al. Rare earth elements distribution in clay zones of sedimentary formation, Pondicherry, south India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 294, 303–308 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1606-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1606-9

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