Grain Size Characteristics and Heavy Mineral Analysis of Mahananda River Sediments in Panchagarh District ,Bangladesh

Abstract

This study investigates the grain size characteristics and heavy mineral assemblages of sediments from the Mahananda River in Panchagarh District, Bangladesh, to infer depositional processes and provenance. Grain size analysis using sieve analysis techniques was conducted to determine the distribution of particle sizes in the sediments. This analysis provides valuable information about the sediment transport dynamics, energy conditions, and sorting processes within the Mahananda River. This research provides comprehensive insights into the depositional environments, and transportation processes within the river system. Such knowledge is essential for effective river management, sediment transport modelling, and environmental impact assessments in the region. Grain size analysis indicates that the sediments are predominantly medium to coarse sand, with graphic mean values ranging from 0.43 to 1.52 ϕ, standard deviation from 0.19 to 0.93 ϕ (moderately to well-sorted), and finely skewed to strongly fine-skewed distributions. The cumulative frequency curves reveal that sediment transport is dominated by traction (90.5%), followed by saltation (8.95%) and suspension (0.55%), suggesting moderate to high energy river conditions. Heavy mineral analysis identified the presence of garnet, ilmenite, rutile, monazite, tourmaline, and sillimanite, reflecting potential economic significance. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into fluvial processes, sediment provenance, and the mineral resource potential of the Mahananda River system.