Introduction / Context:
This question evaluates your knowledge of India's natural resources and mineral distribution, particularly the unique composition of beach sands in the coastal state of Kerala. Competitive exams frequently ask about mineral-rich regions because they are important for strategic, economic, and scientific reasons. Kerala's beaches are well known in geography and general science for containing heavy mineral sands, especially those rich in thorium-bearing minerals, which has implications for nuclear energy and strategic reserves.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers specifically to beach sands found along the Kerala coast.
- We are asked which mineral is especially abundant in these sands.
- The options include calcium, radium, thorium, and manganese.
- No complex numerical calculation is needed, only factual recall.
Concept / Approach:
Kerala's coastal belt, especially areas like Chavara and nearby regions, is known for monazite-bearing beach sands. Monazite is a phosphate mineral that contains rare earth elements and thorium. India has significant thorium reserves locked in these mineral sands, and this resource is often mentioned in discussions about India's three-stage nuclear power program, which envisages the long-term use of thorium-based reactors. Hence, when you see a question about Kerala beach sands and minerals, thorium should immediately stand out as the key answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which Indian state is famous for monazite and heavy mineral beach sands. The answer is Kerala.
Step 2: Monazite sand is known to contain thorium, a radioactive metal of strategic importance.
Step 3: Match this knowledge with the given options: calcium, radium, thorium, and manganese.
Step 4: Calcium is common in many rocks and shells, but Kerala's special fame comes from heavy mineral sands, not just ordinary calcium deposits.
Step 5: Radium occurs as a decay product of uranium and thorium and is not the main resource associated with Kerala beach sands.
Step 6: Manganese deposits are found in various parts of India, but they are not particularly linked to Kerala beach sands in standard GK references.
Step 7: Therefore, thorium is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that India is often said to possess one of the world's largest thorium reserves, largely due to its monazite-rich coastal sands in Kerala and a few other coastal regions. This fact is highlighted in school geography textbooks as well as in discussions about India's nuclear energy potential. Whenever a question combines the terms Kerala, beach sand, and mineral, thorium should be the most appropriate and widely accepted answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Calcium: While calcium carbonate is present in shells and limestone, Kerala beach sands are specifically known for heavy minerals like monazite and ilmenite, not mainly for calcium.
- Radium: Radium may be present in trace amounts as part of radioactive decay chains, but it is not the main resource extracted or highlighted in standard references.
- Manganese: India has important manganese ore deposits, but these are not characteristically associated with Kerala's coastal sands.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse thorium with radium or other radioactive elements. Another common mistake is to pick manganese simply because it is a well known metal associated with Indian mining, without linking the answer to the specific context of beach sands in Kerala. Always pay attention to the geographical combination in the question, which in this case strongly points to thorium-bearing monazite sands.
Final Answer:
The beach sands of Kerala are especially rich in deposits of
thorium contained in monazite and other heavy minerals.
Discussion & Comments