Sujatha, C H; Nify, Benny; Ranjitha, Raveendran; Fanimol, C L; Samantha, N K(December , 2009)
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Abstract:
Distribution and chemistry of major inorganic forms of nutrients along with physico-chemical parameters were
investigated. Surface sediments and overlying waters of the Ashtamudi and Vembanad Lakes were taken for the study,
which is situated in the southwest coast of India. High concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus compounds
carried by the river leads to oxygen depletion in the water column. A concurrent increase in the bottom waters along with
decrease in dissolved oxygen was noticed. This support to nitrification process operating in the sediment-water interface of
the Ashtamudi and Vembanad Lake. Estuarine sediments are clayey sand to silty sand both in Ashtamudi and Vembanad in
January and May. Present study indicates that the sediment texture is the major controlling factor in the distribution of these
nutrient forms. For water samples nitrite, inorganic phosphate was high in Vembanad in January and May compared to
Ashtamudi. For sediments, enhanced level of inorganic phosphate and nitrite was found in Vembanad during January and
May. It had been observed that the level of N and P is more in sediments. A comparative assessment of the Ashtamudi and
Vembanad Lake reveals that the Vembanad wetland is more deteriorated compared to the Ashtamudi wetland system
Description:
Indian Journal of Marine Sciences
Vol. 38(4), December 2009, pp 451-456