Seasonal variation of suspended matter and associated parameters in a tropical estuary, central west coast of India

Abstract

The influence of climate on the physico-chemical parameters and its resultant effect on the distribution of suspended matter within Mandovi river estuary is discussed. Mandovi is a tropical estuary remarkably influenced by the monsoonal-maritime type of climate. Most profound changes in physico-chemical parameters like salinity, pH and temperature are observed during south west monsoon. Changes in these parameters show a distinct transformation of the estuary from being well mixed during pre-monsoon, stratified during monsoon and partially mixed during post monsoon. The impact of these changes is seen in the distribution and variations in the total suspended matter, however, it is further engineered by the morphologic setup of the estuary. Distinct sources of sediment from seaward and hinterland are discernible during fair weather and monsoon seasons respectively. Monsoon season shows a very high content of suspended matters.