(Table 1) Distribution of TiO2 in DSDP Leg 22 Holes

The TiO2/Al2O3 ratio in the Cenozoic Bengal Abyssal Fan sediments displays decisive potential as a paleostream velocity indicator. The reason for this is that, even in the finest fan suspendates, hydrodynamic sorting determines the amounts of heavy TiO2-rich minerals relative to lighter Al2O3-rich clay minerals.
In five Deep Sea Drilling Project cores (213 - 217), which have been recovered in, and south of, the Bay of Bengal, TiO2/Al2O3 ratios increase linearly with time from the Late Miocene to Recent. The increase reflects fan progradation and intensified bottom current activity on the southern Bengal Fan. These processes are related to the Himalayan elevation by factors such as the maturation of northern India river systems, evolution of orographic monsoon rains and elevation-attributed increases in denudation rates.