Abstract:
Morphological characteristics, statistical analysis, zoning, fracture patterns, mineral inclusions, metamictisation, parallel growth and overgrowth of zircon grains from Chhatrapur coast, Odisha are discussed. Zircon grains show variation in colour from brownish to colourless types. Euhedral zircon grains constitute 6.35% and considerable amounts are composed of elongated (31.22%), oval (18.94%), rounded (11.83%), subhedral (14.87%) and broken (11.10%) types. Some zircon grains show regular concentric zoning to faintly developed, blurred and patchy zoning patterns. Fracture patterns are radial, diagonal, concentric and irregular types. The mineral inclusions constituted of quartz, ilmenite, sillimanite, apatite, monazite, biotite, pyroxene, K-feldspar and plagioclase feldspar. The study indicated that the provenance of the zircon grains of Chhatrapur deposit comprised of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt (EGMB).