Chandrakant A Gurav
The grain size analysis of Quaternary sediments from the Lendi river sub-basin in Latur and Nanded districts of Maharashtra has been carried out to investigate the textural parameters and statistical measures to understand the depositional environment. A total thirty-three samples were collected during the fieldwork. These samples were meticulously analyzed using British Standard Sieve (BSS) method. The grain size analysis clearly shows that the differential sorting of grains reflects significant changes in environment throughout geological history. Coarse sediments are prominently deposited over the country rock, forming a solid foundational layer. Above the coarse sediment formation, there are well defined formations of sand and silty clay deposited. Similarly, the presence of cross bedding and graded bedding structures clearly indicate the fluctuation in climatic conditions that have occurred over time. The depositional environment of coarse gravel sediments in the bottom beds of Lendi river at Halni, Mukaramabad and Ravangaon indicates that the streams possess relatively high energy with prevalent bed load transport; whereas fine clay and silt at Hanuman, Hipperga, Gojegaon and other places in the upper layer reflect that the streams are of low gradient, influenced by seasonal variations in climate.