The Nature and Distribution of Particulate Matter in the Mandovi Estuary,Central West Coast of India |
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Authors: | Pratima Mohan Kessarkar Venigalla Purnachandra Rao Ranjan Shynu Prakash Mehra Blossom E Viegas |
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Institution: | (1) National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Dona Paula, 403 004, Goa, India; |
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Abstract: | Systematic seasonal variations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) along a 44-km transect of the Mandovi estuary reveal
that the concentrations of SPM are low at river-end stations, increase generally seaward, and are highest at sea-end stations
of the estuary. An estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) occurs at sea-end stations during June–September when river discharge
is high and also in February–May when river discharge is low. These are the two windiest times of year, the former associated
with the southwest monsoon and the latter characterized by a persistent sea breeze. The salinity vs. SPM plot shows that high
SPM is a seaward deposit and skewed landward. Suspended matter comprised of floccules, fecal pellets, and aggregates that
consist of clay and biogenic particles occur everywhere in the estuary. Diatoms are the most common and are of marine type
at the sea-end and freshwater-dominated at river-end stations of the estuary. SPM is characterized by kaolinite- and smectite-rich
clay mineral suites at the river- and sea-end stations, respectively. Smectite concentrations increase seawards with the increase
in SPM content and are not influenced by salinity. Wind-driven waves and currents and biogeochemical processes at the mouth
of estuary likely play an important role in the formation of ETM in resuspension and transformation of SPM into floccules
and aggregates and in their upkeep or removal. |
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