Temporal and spatial variations in particulate matter, particulate organic carbon and attenuation coefficient in Cochin backwaters

Abstract

Nine stations over a stretch of 21 km of Periyar river estuary were sampled during January to December 1981. Particulate matter varied from 3-253 mg.l^-1 at the surface and 24.8-257mg. l^-1 at the bottom. Particulate organic carbon ranged between 0.2 and 8.02 mg. l^-1 at the surface and 0.2 and 8.48 mg. l^-1 at the bottom except for a stray value of 15.91 mg. l^-1 at the bottom of st 1. Attenuation coefficient (<i>k</i>) values were high during non-monsoon months. Extraneous inputs in general influenced these parameters only locally. Temporal and spatial variations by and large were governed by the monsoonal cycle. Influence of allochthonous contributions has been discussed with special reference to effluents.