MAGNETITE CONTENT AND SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION ALONG ANOI ITAM BEACH, WEH ISLAND

The availability of iron sand in a region has an economic value, generally used as raw material for industry. On the other hand, mineral and magnetite deposits in sediments can be used as trace materials to predict sediment transport in an aquatic environment. This paper analyzes magnetite compositions along with average grain size parameters, used to interpret the magnetite distribution in the Anoi Itam Beach. Sediment samples were taken in February 2017 at 20 stations alongshore. The mean grain size parameter was obtained using the wet sieve method, while the magnetite content was separated using a strong magnet of Neodynium n-35. Anoi Itam sediments are characterized by a coarse texture, in which the slightly gravelly sand type is commonly found. The mean of sediment grain size ranged from 0.30 to 1.72 mm, with 0.74 mm in average. The magnetite grain has a mean size from 0.31 to 1.82 mm, and has an average of 0.76 mm. High concentrations of magnetite content are found at the northern Anoi Itam thus lower toward the south, so it concluded that the magnetite distribution originated from the northern part of Anoi Itam Beach.