Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 10, No.15, pp.1409-1428, 2011
jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved
1409
Beneficiation and Characterization of Detrital Zircons from
Beach Sand and Red Sediments in India
Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao*
Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology(Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
Bhubaneswar 751 013, India
Corresponding Author: *[e-mail], [e-mail]
ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the recovery of zircon minerals from beach sand and red sediments of
bad land topography and flow sheets with material balance are suggested. The experimental
data reveal that the total heavy mineral content of red sediment sample is 43.9% in which
zircon mineral concentrate is 2.75% by weight, where as for beach-dune sand sample the
THM content is 16.7% in which zircon mineral concentrate is 0.16% by weight. It is found
that U and Th and REE elements contents are much higher in red sediment zircon sample
than beach sand zircon. Zircon concentrates recovered from beach-dune sand and red
sediments contain 98 to 98.1% zircon with 79.6 to 80% recovery respectively. These zircon
minerals from both the sources are suitable for industrial applications.
Key words: Beach -Dune sand, Red Sediment, Zircon, Beneficiation, Characterization
1. INTRODUCTION
Zircon has been recognised as a potential structural material because of its good combination
of physical and mechanical properties, such as excellent chemical stability, thermal shock
resistance, strength retention to high temperatures and low thermal expansion as well as low
heat conductivity
[1]
. Owing to high demand of zircon, the exploitation of different deposits,
which can be a potential source for this mineral, is a priority at present. Beach and dune sand
deposits and red sediments of bad land topography are reported to be potential sources of
heavy minerals along with zircon mineral
[2, 3]
. Hence, it has attracted the wide attention of
scientists, engineers and users to exploit zircons from these deposits and in depth
characterizations for end use.
Zircon is used in industry in a wide range of applications, as zircon sand directly from the
mine; as a milled product in the form of zircon flour (95 % micronized to <45µm used in the
manufacturing of frit) and opacifier grade (100% micronized to <6 µm, used in ceramic
glazes for tiles and sanitary wares). The most important market for zircon is as an opacifier
for ceramic tiles and sanitary ware. Zircon finds its application in ceramics (54%) and
refractory industries (14%), which account for 68% of zircon’s total world consumption of

1410 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
1.2 million tonnes. The rest (32%) is consumed in foundry, TV glass, zirconia chemicals and
other applications
[4]
.
The general practice to recover zircon from the Indian beach sands involves complicated
flowsheet with processes such as gravity concentration, magnetic separation, electrostatic
separation, air table separation and flotation
[4, 5]
. Further lean deposits containing 2–5% Total
Heavy Minerals (THMs) are first concentrated to 20–30% THMs by cone concentrators. This
product is then fed to spirals, which may give a concentrate of more than 80% THMs from
which zircon is separated. Some of the Australian industries employing spirals, cone
concentrators, pinched sluice, magnetic separators, electrostatic separators, pneumatic and
hydraulic tables achieved concentrates of +95% grades of rutile and zircon, respectively, from
feeds as low as 0.2% of the combined minerals in beach sand
[6]
. Kelsey reported that to
reduce the Al
2
O
3
content to acceptable levels in the zircon product from kyanite-containing
minerals, a Kelsey jig will probably be required, as the spirals alone will be unable to make a
satisfactory separation between the two minerals
[7]
. There are many approaches to recover
zircon by flotation
[8-15]
. Abeidu has a separate approach to recover zircon by selective
flotation from a mixture of zircon, rutile, ilmenite, monazite, garnet and quartz
[9]
.
The quality of zircon is very important for its direct end use. The integration of data on
morphology, trace elements and Hf isotope variations in zircon populations provides a tool for
the detailed analysis of the evolution of individual igneous rocks; it offers new insights into
the contributions of different source rocks and the importance of magma mixing in granite
petrogenesis
[16]
.
In this paper an attempt is made to recovery of zircon from composite beach- dune sand
sample of Konark- Ramachandi beach, Orissa and red sediments sample of Agastini Village,
Ganjam Dist, Orissa and prepared flowsheets for the same. The geographical location for both
the sampling areas is shown in Fig 1. The morphology of the zircon and provenance of both
deposits are discussed. The major, minor, trace and rare earth elements of detrital zircons are
also addressed in detail.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Raw Material
Raw materials were collected from Konark-Ramachandi coastal stretch, Puri district, Orissa,
India and red sediments of bad land topography of Agastini village, Ganjam district, Orissa,
India.
2.1.1. Beach and dune sands from Konark- Ramachandi coastal stretch
Beach and dune sand samples were collected along Konark –Ramchandi areas, Puri district,
Orissa, India (Lat.17
o
49’-22
o
34’N and Long.81
o
29’-87
o
29’E). The coastal beach plain
extends from the ocean edge to the river Kusabhadra which joins the Bay of Bengal Sea.
Typical topographical view of beach sand and dune sand along the coast at Konark-
Ramachandi beach area is shown in Fig. 2.

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1411
Fig 1. Geographical location for sampling areas
[A] Concentration of ilmenite along the shore and
[B] Typical dune deposits away from shore
Fig 2. Typical topographical view of beach sand and dune sand along the coast at
Konark- Ramachandi beach area, Orissa, India
Beach and dune sand samples were collected in a grid pattern at an interval of 700 meters.
Total ten beach and ten dune sand samples were collected covering ~ 7 kilometres distance. It
may be noted that representative sample was prepared by coning and quartering method at

1412 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
each sample collection point itself. Each representative sample weighed approximately 20 kgs
for further studies. All the samples were thoroughly mixed and prepared a sub sample for
characterization and composite sample for beneficiation studies to recover zircon. Recovered
zircons were characterised in detail.
2.1.2. Red sediments of Agastini village, Orissa
About one ton of sample was collected from red sediments of bad land topography of
Agastini village, Ganjam Dist, Orissa, India (Lat.19
o
4’-20
o
19’N and Long.84
o
7’-85
o
12’E).
Typical badlands topography of red sediment is shown in Fig. 3. Samples were collected by
channels along the foot hills and grab samples were collected along the field. All samples
were thoroughly mixed and representative sub samples and composite sample were prepared
by method of coning and quartering.
[A] Weathering features of Khondalite rock and
[B] Typical red sediments of badland topography with downstream
Containing heavy minerals (black)
Fig 3. Red sediments of badland topography, Agastini village, Ganjam, south
Orissa, India
Sub samples were used for characterization studies and the composite sample was subjected
for beneficiation studies to recover zircon. Recovered zircons were characterised in detail.
2.2. Characterization Studies of Feed Samples
Physical characteristics such as bulk density, true density, apparent porosity, angle of repose,
size analyses and sink-float analyses were carried out for both composite beach-dune sand
and red sediment samples.
2.3. Beneficiation Studies
The composite beach-dune sand sample was subjected to a laboratory model, Humphrey’s
spiral concentrator, supplied by M/s. Humphreys Mineral Industries, Inc., Denver, USA with
17½” pitch used to recover total heavy minerals (> 98% grade). The concentrate was then
subjected to Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS) to recover magnetic heavies
and non-magnetic heavies separately. The non magnetic fraction contains mostly sillimanite,
zircon, rutile, quartz etc. The non magnetic fraction was subjected to gravity table to improve

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1413
the grade of sillimanite. The concentrate from gravity table was subjected to flotation cell to
recover sillimanite in flotation process. The flotation tailing subjected to High Tension
Separator (HTS) to recover zircon in non conducting fraction.
The composite red sediment sample was subjected to scrubbing for desliming. The deslimed
feed was subjected to beneficiation studies as explained above for composite beach-dune sand
sample.
All products and tailings obtained from spiral concentrator, magnetic, flotation and HTS units
were subjected to sink and float tests to assess the quality of the products. Initially sink float
tests were carried out with bromoform (2.89 sp.gr) to assess the total heavy minerals content.
Methylene iodide (3.3 sp.gr) was used to assess the sillimanite content in the total heavy
minerals.
2.3. Characterization of Zircon
Powdered feed zircons were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) using PANanalytical
(X’pert) powder diffractometer, (scan speed- 1.2°/min from 10° to 90°, by Mo Kα radiation)
to identify the mineral phases in the corresponding fractions.
The morphological studies of zircon minerals were carried out using scanning electron
microscope (SEM). The grains were mounted on a SEM brass stub. The mounted quartz
grains were coated with gold in a vacuum evaporator while the sample was being slowly
rotated. Usually 15-20 grains were studied in detail and typical micrographs were taken by
using JEOL JSM-5800 scanning electron microscope.
The characterization of minerals on a sub-micron or nanometer scale was done by using in
Via Raman microscopes, supplied with Renishaws at ambient pressure. Trace and REE
analysis were carried out using ICP-OES at AMD, Hyderabad. Major elements analysis was
also carried out by wet chemical methods at AMD, Hyderabad.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. Physical Characterization of Feed Samples
Physical characterization of both composite beach-dune sand sample and red sediment
samples are shown in Table 1.
Red sediment sample contain high amount of slime (27.6% by weight). It is understood from
the d
80
passing size data that the ROM red sediment sample is finer than the ROM composite
beach-dune sand sample. The heavy mineral concentration is significant in red sediment
sample which can be seen from the data given in Table 1 that the THM content of red
sediment sample is 43.9% where as for beach-dune sand sample the THM content is 16.7%
by weight. Typical results on size analysis followed by sink-float studies on close size
fractions for beach-dune and red sediment samples are presented in Tables 2 and 3
respectively. Data presented in Table 2 reveals the coarser fraction +600 µm also contain
small amount of total heavy minerals. Maximum percent of THM accumulated at below 100
µm size fraction 91.7 % to 97.9 % by weight.

1414 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
Table 1. Physical properties of composite beach-dune sand and red sediment samples
Properties details
Co
mposite beach
-
dune sand sample
Red sediment
sample
Bulk density, g/cm
3
1.7 2.3
True density, g/cm
3
2.8 3.5
Porosity ,% 41.5 34.3
Angle of repose, º 32.6 41.0
d
80
passing size, µm 430 310
Total Heavy Minerals
(THM), %
16.70
43.9
Total Magnetic Heavy
Minerals (TMM), %
12.74
34.9
Total Non
-
Magnetic Heavy
Minerals (TMM),%
3.96
9.0
Very Heavy Minerals (VHM
>3.3 g/cm
3
),%
0.63
39.7
Light Heavy Minerals (LHM
<3.3 g/cm
3
), %
3.33
4.2
Slimes, % - 27.6
Table 2. Typical results on size analysis followed by sink-float studies on close size fractions
of composite beach-dune sand sample
Table 3. Typical results on size analysis followed by sink-float studies on close size fractions
of red sediment sample
Size, µm Weight, % THM, % THM
Distribution, %
-1000+500 4.6 4.6 0.2
-
500+300
18.7
17.3
3.2
-
300+210
12.4
62.8
7.8
-210+150 31.7 88.7 28.1
-150+100 3.1 90.2 2.8
-100+75 1.9 92.4 1.8
-75 27.6 - -
Total
100.0
-
43.9
Size, µm Weight, % THM, % THM
Distribution, %
-1000+600 6.2 2.2 0.1
-600+420 15.6 2.6 0.4
-420+300 20.0 4.2 0.8
-300-210 38.3 9.6 3.7
-
210+150
12.1
43.6
5.3
-
150+100
5.0
74.4
3.7
-
100+75
1.6
91.7
1.5
-75+45 0.7 94.4 0.7
-45 0.5 97.9 0.5
Total 100.0 - 16.7

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1415
The data in Table 3, indicate that the highest size frequency contained in the sample is at –
210+150 µm (31.7 %) and lowest is at –100 +75 µm (1.9 %). The sink-float (minerals >2.89
g/cm
3
) analytical data indicate that the size fraction -1000 + 500 µm size fraction contain
almost 100% heavy minerals mostly garnet which has high industrial value. At finer size
fraction it is seen that around 90 % of the sink fraction (heavy minerals) is concentrated in the
size range 210 to 75 µm.
3.2. Beneficiation Studies
3.2.1. Recovery of Zircon from the composite beach-dune sand sample
Zircon recovery flowsheet has been developed for composite sample collected from Konark-
Ramachandi beach, which contains 0.16% zircon out of 16.7% THM. The flowsheet
essentially consists of spirals, wet high intensity magnetic separator, flotation, gravity table
and high tension separator. The results are given in Table 4.
Table 4. Beneficiation studies on composite beach-dune sand sample to recover zircon
Table 4a. Results of spiral concentrator
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Concentrate
Tailings
15.8
84.2
15.8
84.2
0.94
0.02
92.8
7.2
Total 100.0 100.0 0.16 100.0
Table 4b. Results of WHIMS on concentrate obtained in spiral concentrator (Table 4a)
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Magnetic
Non magnetic
10.8
5.0
68.4
31.6
0.07
2.82
4.7
88.1
Total 15.8 100.0 0.94 92.8
Table 4c Results of gravity table on non magnetic obtained in WHIMS (Table 4b)
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Concentrate
Tailings
3.8
1.2
76.0
24.0
3.6
0.2
86.6
1.5
Total 5.0 100.0 2.82 88.1
The data given in Table 4a indicates the results of spiral concentrator. Data reveals that the
concentrate is 15.8 % by weight, contains 0.94 % zircon with 92.8 % recovery. The rejectable
tailing contains only 0.02 % zircon. Results of WHIMS on concentrate obtained in spiral
concentrator are presented in Table 4b. Results of this table reveals that 5.0 % non magnetic
contain 2.82 % zircon with 88.1 % recovery. Magnetic fraction which is 10.8 % by weight
contains only 0.07 % zircon. Table 4c shows the results of gravity table on non magnetic

1416 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
fraction obtained in WHIMS. The concentrate contains 3.6 % zircon with 86.6 % recovery.
Gravity table concentrate is subjected to flotation studies.
Table 4d. Results of rougher flotation on concentrate obtained in gravity table (Table 4c)
Fraction
Weight, %
Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, %
Recovery of
zircon, %
Froth
Tailings
3.3
0.5
86.8
13.2
0.2
26.6
3.5
83.1
Total
3.8
100.0
3.6
86.6
Table 4e. Results of scavenger flotation on tailings obtained in rougher flotation (Table 4d)
Fraction
Weight, %
Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, %
Recovery of
zircon, %
Froth
Tailings
0.26
0.24
52
48
1.7
53.5
2.8
80.3
Total
0.5
100.0
26.6
83.1
Table 4f. Results of HTS on tailings obtained in scavenger flotation (Table 4e)
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Conducting
Non conducting
0.13
0.11
54.2
45.8
98.0
1.0
79.6
0.7
Total 0.24 100.0 53.5 80.3
After two stage flotation froth and tailing fractions are 0.26 and 0.24 % by weight
respectively. The tailing fraction which is expected to contain mostly zircon contains 53.5 %
zircon with 80.3 % recovery. Table 4e shows results of HTS on tailings obtained in flotation.
Zircon concentrate which is recovered in the non conducting fraction contains 98.0 % zircon
with 79.6 % recovery. The conceptual flow sheet with material balance on recovery of zircon
is shown in Fig. 4.
3.2.2. Recovery of zircon from red sediment sample
The red sediment sample contains 2.75% of zircon mineral. During scrubbing, 27.4 % of
slimes are removed and THM percent enriches from 43.9 % in the feed to 60.6 % in the
scrubbed feed, in which the zircon concentration is 3.8% by weight. The weight, % of the
scrubbed feed sample becomes 72.4 %. But for convenience, the weight, % of the sample is
considered 100% in all mass balance for the flow sheet development. The results of
beneficiation studies are presented in Table 5.

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1417
Fig. 4 Flow sheet with material balance to recover zircon concentrate from composite
beach –dune sand sample of Konark- Ramachandi beach sand, Orissa
Table 5. Beneficiation studies on scrubbed red sediment sample to recover zircon
Table 5a. Results of spiral concentrator
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Concentrate
Tailings
60.00
40.00
60.00
40.00
6.00
0.50
94.7
5.3
Total 100.00 100.00 3.80 100.00
Table 5b. Results of WHIMS on concentrate obtained in spiral concentrator (Table 5a)
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Magnetic
Non magnetic
47.40
12.60
79.00
21.00
0.40
27.00
5.30
89.40
Total
60.00
100.00
6.00
94.70

1418 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
Table 5c. Results of gravity table on non magnetic obtained in WHIMS (Table 5b)
Fraction
We
ight, %
Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, %
Recovery of
zircon, %
Concentrate
Tailings
12.00
0.60
95.23
4.77
28.10
3.80
88.80
0.60
Total 12.60 100.00 27.00 89.40
Table 5d. Results of Flotation cell on concentrate obtained in gravity table (Table 5c)
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Froth
Tailings
7.60
4.40
63.33
36.67
2.90
71.70
5.80
83.00
Total 12.00 100.00 28.10 88.80
Table 5e. Results of HTS on concentrate obtained in gravity table (Table 5d)
Fraction Weight, % Wt.
Distribution, %
Zircon, % Recovery of
zircon, %
Conducting
Non conducting
1.30
3.10
29.54
70.46
8.80
98.10
3.00
80.00
Total 4.40 100.00 71.70 83.00
The mass balance table can be explained as explained above for composite beach-dune sand
sample. Final zircon concentrate which is recovered in the non conducting fraction contains
98.1 % zircon with 80.0 % recovery. The conceptual flow sheet with material balance on
recovery of zircon from red sediment is shown in Fig. 5.
3.3. Characterization of Zircon Concentrate
3.3.1 Physical characterization
The physical properties of zircon concentrate obtained from composite beach-dune sand and
red sediment samples are shown in Table 6. The bulk and true densities for beach sand zircon
are 2.74 gm/cc and 4.67 gm/cc respectively. Red sediment zircon also shows approximately
same values for bulk and true densities.
Table 6. Physical properties of zircon concentrate
Details Zircon of beach-
dune sand
Zircon of red
sediment
Bulk density, g/cm
3
2.74 2.72
True density, g/cm
3
4.67 4.68
Porosity ,% 41.3 41.8
d
80
, µm 202 182

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1419
Fig 5. Flowsheet with material balance to recover zircon concentrate from Red
sediments of Agastini Village
The wet size analyses of both beach-dune and red sediment samples are presented in Tables 7.
It is seen from the tables that beach-dune sand zircon is slightly coarser than red sediment
zircon. The +300 µm size fractions for beach sand also contain 0.6 weight % zircon.
Table 7. Wet size analysis of zircon concentrate obtained from composite beach-dune sand
sample and red sediments
Size, µm Beach-dune sand sample Red sediments
Weight, % Cumulative
weight % passing
Weight, % Cumulative weight
% passing
-
600+420
-
100.0
-
-
-
420+300
0.6
99.4
-
100.0
-
300
-
210
15.4
84
9.5
90.5
-210+150 36.3 47.7 49.2 41.3
-150+100 43.8 3.9 33.5 7.8
-100+75 3.6 0.3 7.4 0.4
-75+45 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.0
Total
100.0
-
100.0
-

1420 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
3.3.2 Chemical characterization
The wet chemical analysis of zircon is shown in Table 8. From this table it can be seen that
the ZrO
2
% of beach sand zircon (63.33 %) is slightly higher than red sediment zircon (62.7
%).
Table 8. Wet chemical analysis of beach sand and red sediment zircon
HfO
2
content for beach sand and red sediment zircon is 1.2% and 0.9% respectively. U and
Th contents of red sediment zircon sample are much higher than beach sand zircon. So, it can
be concluded that the metamictization effect is more in red sediment zircon than beach sand
zircon.
3.3.3. Mineralogical characterization
3.3.3.1 modal analysis
The modal analysis of beach sand and red sediment zircon concentrate is presented in Figs 6
and 7respectively.
Fig 6. Modal analysis of zircon concentrate recovered from composite beach-dune sand
sample
Fig 7. Modal analysis of zircon concentrate recovered from red sediment sample
Samples SiO
2,
%
ZrO
2,
%
HfO
2,
%
Al
2
O
3,
%
TiO
2,
%
FeO,
%
Fe
2
O
3,
%
P
2
O
5,
%
Beach sand zircon 31.3 63.33
1.2 2.46 0.25 0.14 0.72 0.14
Red sediment zircon
29.7
62.70
0.9
4.3
0.1
0.4
0.8
0.2

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1421
3.3.3.2 XRD analysis
Zircon concentrates are subjected to XRD analysis and the diffraction patterns of beach sand
and red sediment zircon are shown in Figs. 8 and 9 respectively. The beach sand zircon
concentrate consists of only zircon phase revealing the quality of zircon minerals are high
grade. Red sediment zircon along with zircon phase, shows some goethite and hematite
phases. This is due to the fact that the feed red sediment sample contains a significant amount
of iron. So, some amounts of iron may report in the product, zircon concentrate. Red sediment
zircon shows minor amount of goethite and hematite iron bearing mineral phases along with
zircon phase. In spite of physical separation processes involved in wet circuit for separation of
individual heavy minerals, the end products contain small amount of ferrous coating. Due to
this fact small amount of ferrous coating minerals are seen in the XRD.
Fig 8. XRD of zircon concentrate recovered from composite beach sand sample
Fig 9. XRD of zircon concentrate recovered from red sediment sample

1422 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
3.3.3.3 SEM / EDAX
The separated zircons are examined under optical microscope for documenting the
morphological characteristics based on its colour, elongate, euhedral, spherical to rounded
nature and inclusions of fluid and other minerals.
SEM photomicrographs of zircons of composite beach sand sample are shown in Fig 10. The
zircon mineral shown in Fig 10a is euhedral in nature. Well developed fractures found on this
zircon surface are probably due to collision mechanisms during transportation. Euhedral
characteristics of grains denote the igneous nature of parentage and are usually found in the
massive charnockite suites
[17]
. Inclusions are also found in zircon minerals of Konark –
Ramachandi beach (Figs. 10a, 10b, 10c & 10d). Murthy suggests that euhedral zircons (Figs.
10a) with dust inclusions suggest the possibility of their derivation from the granites and
gneisses
[18]
. The inclusions of sillimanite in zircon (Fig. 10c) support metamorphic growth
[19]
. Sillimanite is a high rank metamorphic source
[20]
; incorporated in the zircon mineral as
inclusions; indicate that the zircons are from Talchir Basin of Barakar Formation. Thus, the
zircon grains presents in Konark deposit exhibit evidence of parentage of igneous and
metamorphic sources. Elongated and spherical zircon minerals with inclusion are also found
in Konark deposits (Figs. 10b & 10d).
Fig 10. SEM photomicrographs of zircons of composite beach sand sample

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1423
SEM photomicrographs of zircons of red sediment samples are shown in Fig 11.As seen
earlier for beach sand zircon, these minerals are also exhibits euhedral characteristics of
grains.
Fig.11 SEM of zircon from Agastini red sediment sample
General view of all zircon grains (x60 magnification) can be seen in Fig 11a, where as Fig
11b zircon grains seen at x100 magnification shows some of the grains are broken, some of
grains are well rounded and some are semi rounded. Most of the grains exhibit cracks (Fig.
11c) and few of them exhibits pits within the grains (11d). Surface corrosion is very common
(11d). Since these grains are releasing out from the red sediments, it involves in the chemical
weathering at a constant time and source. Hence it is expected more of surface corrosions.
The zircon mineral grains expected are of same source of beach sand of Konark Ramachandi
coastal area. Zircon minerals from both the sources are analyzed using EDAX and the results
are shown in Table 9. The analysis shows major contents of zircon and silicon in zircon
minerals of various strengths.
Table 9. Distribution of Zr and Si in beach sand and red sediment zircon by SEM-EDAX
Beach sand zircon
Red sediment zircon
Zr %Wt
Si %Wt
Zr %Wt
Si %Wt
42.24 16.80 39.67 17.52
58.63 25.31 55.36 23.67

1424 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
The results showed Zr ranging from 48.24 % to 58.63 % in weight and Si ranging from 16.8
% to 25.31 % for beach sand zircon. In case of red sediment zircon, Zr varies from 39.67 % to
55.36 % and Si varies from 17.52 % to 23.67 %.
3.3.4. Trace element analysis by ICP-OES
Zircon minerals recovered from both the sources are subjected to ICP-OES analysis to assess
REE abundance and patterns to discuss the provenance. In general, REE of zircons are widely
used to interpret the geological environments by many scientists. The data acquired by ICP-
OES for trace elements are summarized in Table 10 and data for REE elements are shown in
Table 11. Trace element contains for both the samples show approximately similar values
except ThO
2
, Cu and Zn. Data in Table 11 shows that REE elements of red sediment zircon
are much higher than beach sand zircon. REE elements like La and Ce are 93 ppm and 238
ppm respectively present for beach sand zircon. Whereas for red sediment zircon, La content
is 10630ppm and Ce content is 16980 ppm. Remaining REE elements also show higher
values for red sediment zircon than beach sand zircon. These results also confirm that
metamictization effect is more in red sediment zircon than beach sand zircon.
Table 10. Trace elements of beach sand and red sediment zircon beach sand
Samples ThO
2,,
%
U,
ppm
Nb
2
O
5,,
%
V
ppm
Cr
ppm
Cu
ppm
Zn
ppm
Ga
ppm
Sr
ppm
Ba
ppm
Beach sand
zircon
0.05 322 <0.05 <20 225 <10 <10 112 <10 <50
Red sediment
zircon
0.7 364 <0.05 <20 222 270 85 132 <10 <50
Table 11. REE abundance and patterns of beach sand and red sediment zircon
Samples La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb
Ppm
Ppm
Ppm
Ppm
Ppm
Ppm
Ppm
Ppm
Beach
sand
zircon
93
238
12
58
13
6
37
8
Red
sediment
zircon
10630 16980 2176 8814 1195 35 453 100
Sample
s
Dy
Ho
Er
Tm
Yb
Lu
Y
Sc,
Ppm Ppm Ppm Ppm Ppm Ppm Ppm %
Beach
sand
zircon
83
35
120
26
207
43
1048
<1
Red
sediment
zircon
210 55 149 33 224 44 1533 <1

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1425
3.3.5. Raman spectrometry
Raman spectrum of beach sand and red sediment zircon samples are shown in Figs 12 and 13
respectively. Beach sand zircon shows three main raman peaks: one at 349 cm
-1
(ν
4
bending
mode)
,
a second at 433 cm
-1
(ν
2
bending mode) and a third at 999 cm
-1
(antisymmetric
stretching of the SiO
4
group)
[21]
. Beach sand zircon exhibits a trend of increasing raman
spectrum peak intensities from core to rim of a crystal, which indicates a decrease in
metamictization degree from core to rim. This corresponds to a trend of decreasing U+Th
concentration from core to rim of a crystal based on the direct positive relationship between
metamictization degree and U+Th concentration established by Nasdala
[22]
.
Fig 12. Raman spectrometry of zircon from beach sand sample
Fig13. SEM of zircon from red sediment sample
Raman peaks for red sediment zircon shows three significant peaks. First peak at 355 cm
-1
(ν
4
bending mode)
,
the second peak at 439 cm
-1
(ν
2
bending mode) and the third peak at 1005 cm
-
1
(ant symmetric stretching of the SiO
4
group). Red sediment zircon exhibits a trend of

1426 Sunita Routray and R. Bhima Rao Vol.10, No.15
decreasing raman spectrum peak intensities from core to rim of a crystal, which indicates a
increase in metamictization degree from core to rim. This also corresponds to increasing
U+Th concentration from core to rim of a crystal.
4. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions are drawn from the beneficiation and characterization studies of
beach sand and red sediment zircon.
• The total heavy mineral content of red sediment sample (43.9%) is very high in
comparison to beach-dune sand sample (16.7%).
• Red sediment sample contains large amount of slimes (27.6%), whereas beach sand
contain negligible amount of slimes.
• Zircon concentrate recovered from beach-dune sand contains 98.0 % zircon with 79.6 %
recovery.
• Final zircon concentrate which is recovered from red sediment contains 98.1 % zircon
with 80.0 % recovery.
• ZrO
2
% of beach sand zircon (63.33 %) is slightly higher than red sediment zircon (62.7
%).
• U and Th contents of red sediment zircon sample are much higher than beach sand zircon,
which shows the metamictization effect is more in red sediment zircon than beach sand
zircon.
• Modal analyses shows beach sand zircon concentrate contains 98.0 % of zircon, 0.7 %
rutile, 0.5 % sillimanite and 0.8 % other minerals and red sediment contains 98.1 % of
zircon, 0.6 % rutile, 0.9 % sillimanite and 0.4 % other minerals.
• XRD for beach sand zircon concentrate consists of only zircon phase whereas red
sediment zircon along with zircon phase, shows some goethite and hematite phases.
• REE elements of red sediment zircon are much higher than beach sand zircon.
• Beach sand zircon exhibits a trend of increasing Raman spectrum peak intensities from
core to rim of a crystal and red sediment zircon exhibits a trend of decreasing Raman
spectrum peak intensities from core to rim of a crystal.
• Metamictization effect is more in red sediment zircon than beach sand zircon.
• These zircon minerals from both the sources are suitable for industrial applications.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are thankful to Prof. B.K. Mishra, Director, Institute of Minerals and Materials
Technology (CSIR), Bhubaneswar, for giving permission to publish this paper. Thanks also

Vol.10, No.15 Beneficiation and Characterization 1427
due to Mr. P.S.R Reddy, Head of Mineral Processing Department, for his constant
encouragement to carry out this work for publication. One of the authors, Ms. Sunita Routray,
is thankful to CSIR for granting SRF.
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