Some suggestions for heavy-mineral investigations of sediments

Abstract

Attention is directed to the variability in quantitative relations between heavy minerals as a consequence of changes in the texture of sediments. It is suggested that for quantitative comparisons of heavy minerals, materials of the same grade-size should be utilized. Various methods in use for describing quantitative relations between heavy minerals are critically analysed. A new method of representation is suggested. A standard or type sample is selected. It is screened and the heavy minerals are separated from the suitable grade-size fractions. A known portion of the heavy mineral crop is counted and the abundance of each mineral species is established for a definite weight of uniformly sized material. The abundance of any mineral species in other samples is then given by a comparison with this standard.