FACTOR-ANALYSIS OF VISAKHAPATNAM SHELF SEDIMENTS, EAST-COAST OF INDIA

Data comprising of 30 variables obtained from 15 sediment samples of V isakhapatnam shelf have been subjected to R-mode factor analyses so as to interpret the geological provenance of the sediment and the source s of pollution. About 71.5% of variance has been accounted for three f actors which include (i) sedimentation factor including fine grained a lumino-silicates, clays, hydrous Fe and Mn oxides and organic matter, (ii) pollution factor including discharge of domestic sewage and indus trial effluents, loading/unloading of Zn-Pb ore concentrates in harbou r and occurrence of heavy and sulphide minerals, and (iii) biogenic fa ctor including carbonate phase occurring with shell debris.