Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)

Explanation

Beach sand minerals are naturally occurring mineral particles found on coastal beaches, often derived from the erosion of rocks and shells. The primary components of beach sand include quartz, a durable and abundant mineral, along with other minerals like feldspar, mica, and ilmenite, as well as heavier minerals such as zircon, rutile, and monazite. The beach sands of many parts of Kerala are known to contain a variety of heavy minerals.

Option 1 is correct: Ilmenite is one of the most abundant minerals in the beach sands of Kerala. It is a source of titanium dioxide, which is used in various industrial applications, including the manufacture of paints and pigments. Odisha is the leading producer of ilmenite, contributing nearly 69% of the total production followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Option 2 is correct: Zircon is another important mineral found in Kerala’s beach sands. It is used in the production of refractory materials and as a gemstone. Zircon occurs in close association with other heavy minerals such as ilmenite, rutile and monazite in beach sands, along the coastal tracts of the country. Its concentration in the deposits is about 0.6-18.7% of the total heavy minerals. It is found in parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal.

Option 3 is correct: Sillimanite is also found in significant amounts in the beach sands. It is an important source of alumina used in the production of aluminum. The resources are located mainly in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Assam.

Option 4 is incorrect: Tungsten is not found in the beach sands of Kerala. While it is a valuable mineral, it is not typically associated with the sands in this region. Resources of tungsten-bearing minerals are mainly distributed in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.