Integrated Geoscientific studies for Naturally Occurring Fullerene in the Pullampeta Shales, Mangampeta Baryte Field,Cuddapah Basin, India

摘要

Under an integrated geoscientific programme for fullerenes, systematic rock sampling as well as geophysical studies have been carried out in the Mangampeta barytes mine area of Cuddapah basin A.P. A total of 1050 rock samples were collected from the mine sections at different depth levels and also from the mine dumps. The rock samples were subjected to analysis using different analytical methods like Mass Spectrometry, X-Ray diffraction, High Pressure Liquid Chromotography (HPLC), at different laboratories in U.S and India. The results of analysis clearly pointed out to the presence of fullerene in all the rock samples indicating a wide spread occurrence of fullerene in tuffs of Mangampeta barytes mine. Geophysical measurements using electrical and induced polarization methods were also carried out in the fullerene occurrence area for the purpose of subsurface imaging. A well defined NW-SE trending linear zone of high electrical conductivity and polarizability cutting across the mine area is delineated. This is interpreted to be representing a deep fracture zone presumably related to the volcanic activity believed to be responsible for the localization of barytes.