Abstract
This study investigates the elemental composition, mineral distribution, and surface morphology of lake sediments from Puliyanthangal Lake, located in the Ranipet industrial area of Tamil Nadu, India. A variety of analytical techniques were employed, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Granulometric distribution (% of sand, silt, and clay), alongside pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of sediment samples were assessed to evaluate sediment quality. FT-IR analysis identified quartz as a major mineral, evidenced by strong peaks at 779 cm(- 1), 780 cm(- 1), and 796 cm(- 1), while absorption bands between 1030 and 1035 cm(- 1), 1115 cm(- 1), and 3620-3623 cm(- 1), along with 3694 cm(- 1), confirmed the presence of clay minerals. Additionally, minor minerals such as feldspar, calcite, and organic carbon were detected through FT-IR and corroborated by XRD findings. The relative mineral distribution was further analyzed through the calculation of extinction coefficients. SEM imaging demonstrated variability in both the morphology and amorphous characteristics of the sediments, while EDS analysis highlighted the significance of certain elements implicated in the mineral formation. Furthermore, multivariate statistics revealed that the heavy metal's concentration in the sediments are attributable to anthropogenic activities, particularly the discharge of industrial wastewater.