Geomorphological Controls on Monazite Placer Formation Along the Kollam Coast, Southwest India

In the present study the investigation on the geographical processes responsible for the formation of monazite placer deposits in the southern coastal region of Kerala were carried out. The sand samples were collected from the southern coastal environment of Kerala. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides viz. ⁴⁰ K, ²²⁶ Ra and ²³² Th in the collected sand samples were measured using high efficiency 3"×3" NaI (Tl) detector. The radiological parameters were measured and compared with the Indian and World average values. The results show that the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in the collected sand samples was much higher than the values reported in other regions in the World. The enhanced level of natural radioactivity is due to the monazite bearing black sand present in the study area. The geographical processes are the key deciding factor in the distribution of monazite rich black sand in the southern coastal regions of Kerala. The results of the present investigation are discussed detail in the manuscript.