Total thirty three samples are collected in the study area. Out of that, twenty four samples from Lendi river (sample numbers 1 to 24) and nine from Tiru river (sample numbers 25 to 33). The sample locations are Halni (1), Mukarmabad (2 to 7), Ravangaon (8 and 9), Sangavi Bhadev (10), Malkapur (11 and 12), Degloor (13), Bagam Takali (14 to 17), Hawarga (18), Hanuman Hipperga (19 to 21), and Gojegaon (22 to 24). In Tiru river villages are Mukarmabad (25), Bhamani (26), Tagyal (27), Kalambar (28 and 29), Gundappan Dapka (30 to 32) and Atnur (33) shown in Fig. 1 and Table 3. In Fig. 2 show some fieldwork locations of the quaternary sediments. A representative samples was collected from each stratum based on order of position, bottom to top. Before sample collection, stratum was carefully studied; its thickness, sediments behavior and its grain arrangements, cementing material and sediment fragments. The samples collected were placed in polythene bags and labeled. These samples are analyzed by British Standard Sieve (BSS) method of sieve analysis.
The grain size analysis of quaternary sediments in Lendi river is undertaken based on arithmetic method of statistical analysis technique. The weight percentage frequency data obtained in the laboratory is statistically analyzed and it converts into cumulative percentage (Table 2). The curve constructed on the basis of weight percentage data, served as basic tool for generation of other statistical parameter proposed by (Folk and Ward, 1957; Folk, 1974; Reineck and Singh, 1980). Obtained results are tabulated in Table 3.
The type of grain size variation depends on the nature of the sediments available in the particular environment. The representative samples collected from different horizons at different locations were analysed by coning and quartering method in laboratory. The samples were dried, weighted and then subjected to sieve analysis. For this analysis, 10 meshes (mesh no. 8, 10, 14, 18, 22, 30, 36, 44, 52 and 60) are used. The parameters used for present research fall into four principle groups: those measuring (Blott and Pye, 2001); (a) the average size (mean), (b) the spread (sorting) of the sizes around the average, (c) the symmetry or preferential spread (skewness) to one side of the average, and (d) the degree of concentration of the grains relative to the average (kurtosis). The graphical representation sample number against corresponding values of mean grain size, sample number against corresponding values of standard deviation, sample number against corresponding values of skewness and sample number against corresponding values of kurtosis is shown in Fig. 3.
Table 1
Grain Size analysis parameters.
Parameters | Reference | value, inference |
Arithmetic mean (u1) (first moment) | Folk and Word, (1957) | 0 to 1.00 = course, 1.01 to 2.00 = medium, 2.01 to 3.00 = fine, 3.01 to 4.00 = very fine |
variance (second moment) (u2) | - |
Standard Deviation (σ) | < 0.35 = very well sorted, 0.35 to 0.50 = well sorted, 0.50 to 0.70 = moderately well sorted, 0.71 to 1.00 = moderately sorted, 1.00 to 2.00 = poor sorted, 2.00 to 4.00 = very poor sorted |
Skewness (third movement) | > 1.0 = strongly fine skewed, 1.0 to 0.3 = very fine skewed, 0.3 to 0.1 = fine skewed, 0.1 to -0.1 = nearly symmetrical, -0.1 to -0.3 = course skewed, <-0.3 = very course skewed |
Kurtosis | < 0.67 = very platykurtric, 0.67 to 0.90 = platykurtric, 0.90 to 1.11 = mesokurtric, 1.11 to 1.50 = leptokurtic, 1.50 to 3.00 = very leptokurtic, > 3.00 = extremely leptokurtic |
Finally, all samples were analysed at -1/2 phi (ø) interval in a Ro-Top Sieve shaker using BSS method for 15 min. The samples retained on each sieve were weighted on a single pan balance up to an accuracy of 0.001 grams and the weight-cumulative weight percentage (Arithmetic Curve) were calculated, which were further utilized for grain size analysis by mathematical equations given by (Folk and Ward, 1957; Friedman, 1962). The method proposed by (Folk and Ward, 1957) is quicker and accurate for near normal distribution curve and experimentally for skewed and bimodal curves. The curve is plotted against cumulative percentage (arithmetic curve) vs. phi, diameter with the help of excel tool (Fig. 4). The superimposition of values of percentage frequency of mean grain size against class limit (Wentworth, 1922) for six type curves (A, B, C, D, E and F) for 33 Quaternary samples of Lendi river is shown in Fig. 5. The depositional environment of the sediments is deciphered based on (Moiola and Weiser, 1968; Friedman and Sanders, 1978) graphically represented in Fig. 6a and b.