Zirconium (Zr) and titanium (Ti) are essential elements that are mainly sourced from the minerals zircon (ZrSiO₄) and ilmenite (FeTiO₃), rutile (TiO₂), respectively. Zircon is frequently found alongside minerals like rutile and ilmenite and is often recovered as a byproduct during their extraction. Zirconium’s properties—including a high melting point, mechanical strength, chemical stability, and corrosion resistance—make it valuable for applications in ceramics, nuclear fuel cladding, thermal insulation, catalysts, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Titanium, similarly obtained from ilmenite, rutile (TiO₂), is highly sought after for its strength, low density, and corrosion resistance, which makes it crucial in nuclear power plant systems like piping, heat exchangers, and condensers. This study focuses on a mineralogical analysis of five beach sand samples from the coastal region of Cox's Bazar. Samples were collected from the back dune area to maximise the heavy mineral content. The overall elemental composition of the sand was measured using Wave Dispersion X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). In two samples (L-4 and L-5), heavy minerals such as rutile, ilmenite, zircon, magnetite, and garnet were separated using an Induced Roll Magnetic Separator (IRMS) and Electrostatic Plate Separator (ESPS). The concentration of heavy minerals in these samples was determined through a heavy liquid separation method using tetrabromoethane as the density medium. The resulting heavy mineral contents were 34.65 wt% and 47.35 wt% for samples L-4 and L-5, respectively. Portable XRF analysis of each separated heavy mineral confirmed that the separation process was effective.

1.     To determine the elemental composition of Zr and Ti in the five samples using XRF and WDXRF collected from the coastal area of Cox’s Bazar 

2.     To separate the heavy minerals from the bulk sand 

3.     To determine the concentration of individual heavy minerals

 

As our samples were raw sand, the sand particulates could be moved here and there in the vacuum region if a proper binder was not used. As a result, the particulates can harm the internal equipment of WDXRF and may also give inaccurate results. At first, we were not aware of this. That’s why for further sample analysis portable XRF has been used. 4
                                              
  Analyte         L-1 (%)            L-2 (%)                 L-3 (%)
  Zr                       1.33                 0.67                      2.90
 Ti                         5 .44                1.56                      4.15

 Analyte          L-1 (%)             L-2 (%)                 L-3 (%)              L-4 (%)             L-5 (%)
 Zr                     1.89                   0.14                      2.34                    0.44                0.696
 Ti                      5.06                   1.17                      4.44                    2.88                3.95

N.B, The samples were denoted as L(location) with distinct numerical identifiers
 

The study in Cox's Bazar Coastal Area analyzed the mineral composition and resource potential, focusing on heavy minerals rich in zirconium and titanium, such as zircon, ilmenite, and rutile. The research used advanced techniques like heavy mineral separation, microscopic examination, and elemental analysis to understand these minerals' chemistry, and distribution. The findings offer insights into resource allocation and the region's mineral resources. 

In prospective scenarios, additional samples will be collected to obtain more zircon. Scanning Electron Microscopy will be used to analyze the zircon, rutile, and ilmenite microstructure. Zircon will be irradiated in a 3 MW TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor at BAEC, using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The gamma rays emitted will be measured with a high-purity Germanium (HPGe) detector, and uranium and thorium levels will be determined using gamma-ray peaks at energies of 277 keV and 312 keV, respectively [5].