Formation of the Aude, Orb and Herault prodeltas and their characterisation using physicochemical and sedimentological parameters

Granulometrical and mineralogical analysis of the sediment body enables the zone of sedimentation of each type of material to be determined, and hence the style of sedimentation to be inferred. Illite, quartz and dolomite are of detrital origin and accumulate close to the river mouths; while smectite is deposited by both dynamical and flocculation processes, and accumulating over the surface of the prodelta and also seaward by some 30-40 m depth. Calcite is of biogenic origin, and is found further offshore, associated with muddy sediments only.