Study on mineralogy and geochemistry of sediments at Pulau Bidong, Terengganu

Abstract

This study was done in order to determine the minerals contain in sediments of Pulau Bidong, Terengganu. The study also analysed the geochemistry aspect of the sediments. The sediments were collected at 32 sampling stations around Pulau Bidong water. Sediment can be defined as a fine or coarse particles that have settled to accumulate on the seafloor. Sediment consists of detritus like mineral grains and rock fragments derived from pre-existing rock. X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) was used and a total of 8 identifiable minerals were recorded in the sediments samples. Quartz (Si02) was the most abundance mineral identified. Quartz is a common and abundant mineral occurring in a great variety of geological environments. Quartz occurs in hydrothermal veins and pegmatite. Well-formed crystals may reach several meters in length and weigh hundreds of kilograms. These veins may bear precious metals such as gold or silver, and form the quartz ores sought in mining. Erosion of pegmatites may reveal expansive pockets of crystals, known as "cathedrals." Quartz is a common constituent of granite, sandstone, limestone, and many other igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. In addition, from Scanning Electron Microscope Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis, it showed that the quartz also the abundance oxide compound followed with other compounds. From sedimentological characteristics analysis, the sediments of the island classified as medium sand for the mean value, poorly sorted for sorting, positive skewnees value and very leptokurtic for the kurtosis value.