International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology ISSN (Online):2278-5299

Volume 6, Issue 2: Page No.38-43,March-April 2017

http://www.mnkjournals.com/ijlrst.htm

PETROGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF
METASEDIMENTARY LIMESTONE AND THE
ASSOCIATED ROCKS FROM THE SOUTH
ETTAYAPURAM TALUK OF TAMIL NADU
1
Jayant Kumar Padhi, 2G R Senthil Kumar*
1
M.Sc Geology, Dept of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
2
Associate Professor, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
* Email ID: gr_senthilkumar@yahoo.com

Abstract- The present work describes the petrographical characteristics of the crystalline limestone and its associated rocks occurred in
the southern Ettayapuram Taluk of Tamil Nadu. In the study area, crystalline limestone occurs in pink and greyish-white colour. The
chief associated rocks are hornblende gneiss and calc-gneiss. The petrographical investigations on these rocks were carried out using a
high-resolution petrographical microscope. The limestone shows a majority of recrystallized calcite along with the presence of quartz and
diopside. Diopside occurs as rounded crystals within the limestone. In pink limestone, diopside appears as deformed grains. The
hornblende gneiss consists hornblende and clinopyroxenes, which tend to form the dark colouration of the rock. It has a scarcity of calcite
content. The gneissic bands (white) were formed by minerals such as plagioclase, orthoclase and quartz. The calc-gneiss is the most
abundant country rock in the study area and it contains more silicate minerals than the calcite. The light coloured bands of the calc-gneiss
rock were formed by calcite, quartz and plagioclase whereas; the dark bands are formed by the minerals like hornblende and diopside.

Keywords - Metasedimentary rocks, petrography, crystalline limestone, hornblende gneiss, calc-gneiss

I. INTRODUCTION
According to Daubrée, 1867, crystalline limestones are
formed by recrystallisation of limestone as a result of
metamorphism [1]. Bruce Foote (1883) explained about the
crystalline limestone occurrences in southern Tamil Nadu [2].
The Tamil Nadu State ranks seventh in India in terms of
production of limestone. There are 12 major cement plants
functioning in the State the total limestone reserves are about
1,473 million tonnes. The crystalline limestones of Tamil
Nadu are perhaps the oldest 2660 million years of limestones
in the world. The crystalline limestones in Tamil Nadu are
found associated with quartzite, calc-silicate rocks and
garnetiferous-sillimanite-gneiss [3]. The oldest limestone
seen in India occur all along with the other meta-
sedimentary-migmatite formation as part of the Archaean
Basement Complex. The increased temperature and pressure
with time period had altered the original textural,
mineralogical and structural characteristics of the calcareous
sediments to coarse crystalline limestone with other
metamorphic mineral assemblages. Often gneisses, quartz
veins, pegmatites and charnockitic rocks also cut across the
crystalline limestone [4]. Previous investigations on
crystalline limestones of Tamil Nadu were carried out by
various geologists (Narayanaswami, 1942-43 [5];
Narayanaswami and Gopal, 1947-48 [6]; Narasimhan, 1960
[7]; Dharmaraj, 1966 [8]; Mani and Basu, 1975 [9];
Srinivasan, 1982-83 [10]; Paranthaman, 1983-84 [11];
Jayaprakash, 1985-86 [12]).
Fig.1 Geological map of the study area

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 International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology.
II. GEOLOGICAL SETTING OF THE STUDY AREA
The study area is located near the Podupatti Village of
Ettayapuram Taluk, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu. The
study area is situated at a distance of 19 km from
Ettayapuram Town in the north and 5 km from the
Pasuvanthanai Village in the south. The chosen study area
falls under Survey of India toposheet number 58G/16, with
the coordinates of 9°1’59” to 9°2’12” N latitudes and
77°58’51” to 77°58’54” E longitudes. The crystalline
limestone occurs as a band of about 320m length and extends
in an N-S direction. The average width of the band is about
36m, however, the central portion of the band is showing a
maximum width of around 54m, this may have resulted due
to folding. The average dip of the formation is 72° E and the
dip amount varies between 60° and 82°.In the study area, the
limestone occurred in two different colours, the pink and
greyish-white. They are encountered within the country rock
of calc-gneiss. In many places, intrusions of quartzite and
patches of hornblende gneiss are noticed. Geological map of
the study area is shown in Fig.1.

III. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Specimen collection
In the limestone and the associated rocks, representative
specimens were collected from the study area for thin section
preparation and petrographical studies. In the limestone band
pink and greyish-white coloured specimens were collected
separately and in the associated rocks; hornblende gneiss and
calc-gneiss specimens were collected and packed carefully.
The pictorial images of the hand specimens are shown in
Fig.2.
B. Preparation of thin section
The collected representative specimens were dispatched to
the lab for preparation of thin sections. The thin sections were
prepared by standard procedures, for this study, thin sections
were made from M/s. Lab Crystals, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
C. Microscopy
The microscopic investigations of thin sections were done
using a Euromax Holland petrographic microscope. The
minerals were investigated in plane polarised light (PPL) and
crossed polarised light (XPL). A detailed textural and the
mineralogical studies were done using the petrographical
microscope.

Fig.2 Photographs showing hand specimen of greyish-

white limestone (A), pink limestone (B), hornblende
gneiss (C) and calc-gneiss (D), collected from the study
area.

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 International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology.
IV. PETROGRAPHY
A. Greyish-white limestone
The greyish-white limestone found in the study area
comprises of calcite, quartz and diopside. Calcite is the
dominating mineral, which is completely recrystallized and
thus producing a granoblastic texture. Calcite crystals occur
as equigranular crystals and anhedral in shape. They are
colourless in plane polarised light and have low relief. They
show perfect rhombohedral cleavage and symmetrical
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Fig.3 Photomicrographs under cross nicols showing (A)
thin section of greyish-white limestone with the presence of
rounded diopside (Di), anhedral calcite (Cal) and quartz
(Qtz) grains. (B) white limestone showing pearly blue
interference colour of calcite (Cal) and fragmented quartz
(Qtz) crystals with diopside (Di) grains of varying
interference colours. (C) white limestone with calcite (Cal)
grains showing pink and grey interference colours with
quartz (Qtz) along with diopside (Di) with 3rd order blue
interference colour. (D) pink limestone showing calcite with
perfect rhombohedral cleavage and grey to yellow
interference colours and diopside (Di) occurring along with
quartz (Qtz), and (E) greenish to yellow interference colour
of diopside (Di) occurring along with quartz (Qtz) and large
anhedral calcite (Cal) grains.
extinction to the cleavage planes (Fig.3A). The lamellar
twinning in calcite usually shows a bright interference colour.
The calcite itself has a grey to higher order bluish (Fig.3B) or
pinkish (Fig.3C) interference colour. Quartz presented along
with the calcite in a saccharoidal distribution. They occur as
anhedral crystals with 1st order grey interference colour. The
metamorphism imposed the quartz with undulatory
extinction. The third mineral assemblage is diopside, which
appears to be pale green in plane polarised light and has a 2nd
order blue and yellow interference colours and an oblique
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extinction angle of 38°. Diopside is present as anhedral grains
and shows a lack of structure, generally appearing as rounded
crystals (Fig.3A). Diopside typically occurs as an accessory
mineral. The primary assemblages of the grayish-white
limestone are calcite + quartz + diopside. Philpotts (1990)
explained that, such mineral assemblages belong to
amphibolite to granulite facies of metamorphism [13].
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Fig.4 Photomicrographs under cross Nicol showing (A)
hornblende gneiss with large anhedral hornblende (Hbd)
grain showing 3rd order green and blue interference colour
and diopside with 3rd order reddish yellow interference
colour. (B) hornblende gneiss showing elongated grains of
hornblende (Hbd) and plagioclase (Plg). (C) hornblende
gneiss showing hornblende (Hbd), clinopyroxenes such as
augite (Au) and diopside (Di), quartz and orthoclase
(Oth). (D) calc-gneiss showing crystals of anhedral calcite
(Cal) grain showing perfect rhombohedral cleavage,
quartz (Qtz), hornblende (Hbd) and diopside (Di). (E)
calc-gneiss rock showing the occurrence of diopside (Di)
along with calcite (Cal), quartz (Qtz) and plagioclase
(Plg), which shows lamellar twinning and first order grey
interference colour.
B. Pink limestone
Similar to the greyish-white limestone, the pink limestone
also composed predominantly of calcite. The calcite shows
grey to higher order yellowish interference colour. A perfect
rhombohedral cleavage and symmetrical extinction suggest
complete recrystallisation. The grains are anhedral and show
granoblastic texture (Fig.3D). The quartz in pink limestone is
less dominant as compared to the greyish-white limestone.
The quartz shows first order grey interference colour along
with the undulatory extinction imparted due to
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metamorphism. The quartz occurs as anhedral scattered
grains throughout the section. The pyroxenes attached to the
rock are present as accessory minerals. The typical pyroxene
occurring is diopside, shown by its higher second order
interference colour. The pyroxenes are exhibiting cataclastic
texture (Fig.3D and 3E). The mineral assemblage of the pink
limestone is calcite + quartz + diopside, which also reflects
amphibolite to granulite facies of metamorphism, similar to
greyish-white limestone [13].
C. Hornblende gneiss
In thin section, it shows a gneissose texture. Complete
recrystallization of mineral grains was observed and the
grains are anhedral in shape. Under the plane polarised light,
most of the hornblende grains show high relief; pleochroism
from dark green to yellowish green colours. The cleavage
planes are quite deformed due to metamorphism, although
careful observation reveals some cleavage planes. Under the
crossed Nicols, the hornblende grains show interference
colours varying from 3rd order green (Fig.4A) to yellow or
orange (Fig.4C) interference colour. Elongated grains of
plagioclase are seen in places having lamellar twinning
(Fig.4B). The plagioclase present in the specimen is
Labradorite with an extinction angle of 39°.Clinopyroxenes,
such as augite and diopside are also associated with the rock.
Augite shows 2nd to 3rd order green to blue interference
colour with an extinction angle of 30°. The diopside shows
2nd order pink to yellow (Fig.4C) interference colour with an
extinction angle of 15°. Twinning is generally absent among
the pyroxenes. The hornblende gneiss also contains quartz
which is detected by the characteristics of wavy extinction
and low relief. Rare occurrences of orthoclase are also seen
showing the simple twinning (Fig.4C). The mineral
assemblages of the rock are hornblende + plagioclase +
articles + clinopyroxene + Quartz. Such assemblages are
implying amphibolite lower granulite facies of
metamorphism [13, 17].
D. Calc-gneiss
The calc-gneiss occurs as host rock for the crystalline
limestone formation. As observed from the hand specimen
(Fig.2D), the rock consists of alternating bands of light and
dark coloured minerals, thus, showing a typical gneissic
structure. In thin section as well, the calc-gneiss shows a
gneissose texture, the grains are usually anhedral (Fig.4D).
The mineral assemblage of the calc-gneiss is quartz,
plagioclase, calcite and hornblende along with the
clinopyroxenes. Distinct band among the minerals like
hornblende and pyroxenes are observed in the thin section
(Fig.4E). The quartz is generally anhedral showing its
peculiar wavy extinction. The plagioclase mineral in the rock
is bytownite, showing a twin lamellae and the extinction
angle of 29°. The calcite shows first order grey to higher
order blue interference colours. It has the diagnostic perfect
rhombohedral cleavage and symmetrical extinction. The
pyroxene present is typically diopside which shows a 3rd
order greenish blue interference colour. The mineralogical
assemblages of the rock are quartz + plagioclase + calcite +
hornblende + diopside.
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V. DISCUSSION
The present study has brought out the petrographical
aspects of the crystalline limestone and the country rocks that
occur near the Podupatti Village of Ettayapuram Taluk,
Tamil Nadu. Two types of limestones were observed in the
field classified as per their colour, namely pink and greyish-
white limestone. The studied carbonates are composed of
medium to coarse grains, which are observed in both hand
specimen and in thin sections. In metamorphic process,
calcite is recrystallised to produce a coarse grain size [15]. In
the crystalline limestone, diopside forms as an accessory
mineral. The presence of diopside can be attributed to the
parental composition of the rock. If the original composition
of limestone is dolomitic, i.e., contains Mg, it reacts with
silica to produce diopside and carbon dioxide as per the
following reaction [14, 16].
Dolomite + 2Quartz = Diopside + 2CO2
The carbon dioxide being volatile gets liberated due to
increasing grade of metamorphism. The crystalline limestone
of the study area contains less dolomite as compared to the
quartz. Thus, it can be inferred that the parent rock, Mg
concentration can be less and due to increasing grade of
metamorphism reacted with the quartz and entirely converted
to diopside [14, 16].
Hornblende gneiss in the study area in hand specimen
appears like diorite. However, in thin section it reveals the
gneissic characteristics. The main component of the rock is
hornblende which appears as a dark green pleochroic mineral
under the plane polarised light. The gneissic structure results
from the tendency of the dark minerals to be concentrated in
bands due to metamorphic differentiation. The hornblende
grains show preferred orientation as gneissic banding,
growing along the direction of least stress. The plagioclase,
typically bytownite is the next most abundant mineral. The
other minerals present are clinopyroxene and quartz. The
rocks show remarkable cataclastic effects such as granulation
and elongation of grains of quartz and plagioclase, with
simultaneous banding of twin lamellae and development of
undulatory extinction. Turner (1939) explains that the origin
of rocks might belong to any of the three categories.
i. Primary gneissic diorites in which hornblende and
plagioclase are essentially direct products of crystallization
from dioritic magma.
ii. Basic and semi-basic plutonic rocks that owe their
present mineral composition to deep-seated regional
metamorphism.
iii. A series of basic lava, tuffs and interstratified
calcareous sediments or greywackes that have undergone
regional metamorphism at depth.
The mineral assemblage of the hornblende gneiss
rock is hornblende + diopside + plagioclase + quartz, which
indicates amphibolites to lower granulite facies of
metamorphism. [17]
Calc-gneiss is the major host rock for the crystalline
limestone body occurring in the study area. Carbonate being
subordinate, the rock is enriched in Si, Al and Na-rich
minerals. The calc-gneiss has a more complex mineral
assemblage than the limestone. The major assemblage of the
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 International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology.
rock is quartz, plagioclase, calcite, hornblende and
pyroxenes. Calcite is stable over a large range of temperature
and pressure conditions [14]. At high temperatures and low
pressures, calcite may reach with the silica present to form
calc-silicates [15]. Yardley (1990) explains that the calcite
crystals are susceptible to extensive textural changes due to
recrystallisation of calcite to produce a coarse grain size and
often a preferred orientation [15]. The gneissose structure of
the study area calc-gneiss has formed due to such preferred
orientation of mineral grains.
VI. CONCLUSION
The present study deals with the petrographic
characteristics of the meta-sedimentary limestone and the
associated rocks occurring near the Podupatti Village of
Ettayappuram Taluk, Tamil Nadu, has revealed that the
limestone found in the study area are crystalline in nature.
Two varieties of limestone observed based on their colour
they are pink and grayish-white limestone. The mineral
assemblage of the limestones consists of calcite and quartz.
Diopside occurs as an accessory mineral in both the
limestone varieties. The rocks are completely crystallised and
formed coarse-grained, anhedral calcite grains due to
metamorphism. The associated rock hornblende gneiss is a
dark coloured country rock showing gneissic banding of
hornblende and pyroxene with plagioclase and quartz, etc., it
is deficient of any calcite content. The calc-gneiss forms the
major host rock for the crystalline limestone occurred in the
study area. The calc-gneiss rock displays alternating bands
of light and dark coloured. Hornblende and Diopside
constitute the darker bands and the lighter bands composed
by quartz, calcite and plagioclase. It can be summarized that
the study area limestone mineral assemblages include calcite
+ quartz + diopside; the hornblende gneiss consists of
hornblende + plagioclase + orthoclase + clinopyroxene +
quartz and the calc-gneiss mineral assemblage constitutes of
quartz + calcite + plagioclase + hornblende + diopside. These
mineral assemblages of minerals developed under
amphibolite to granulite facies of medium to high
metamorphic grade [14].
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