Verdine-Bearing Oolitic Sand from Cores, off Ganges-Brahmaputra Mouth, Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Three sediment cores (116 to 125 cm long) collected from outer continental shelf from water depths of 120 to 150 m off Ganges-Brahmaputra mouth in the Bay of Bengal show oolitic sand horizons at subsurface levels around 25, 50 and 100 cm, alternating with highly assorted terrigenous clayey silt. Sediment texture, mineral and biogenic assemblage indicate near shore reefal environment for the oolitic sands. Green grains in oolitic sediments have been identified as phyllite V of verdine facies. It is inferred that the verdine-bearing oolitic sands are deposited during early Holocene transgressive phase.