Distribution of nutrients in Chilka lake, east coast of India

Abstract

Nutrients (NO<img src='/image/spc_char/3_bar.gif' border=0>-N, PO<img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/minusthree.gif' border=0>-P and SiO<img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/minusfour.gif' border=0>-Si), temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and transparency were studied during 11-14 November 1988 in the Chilka lake. Marked spatial variations were observed with respect to almost all parameters determined. Silicate showed strong inverse relationship (<i>P</i><img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/lessequals.gif' border=0><i>0.01</i>) with salinity both at surface and bottom layers. The relationship of phosphate and nitrate with salinity, however, depicted variable pictures. Pronounced interzonal differences for transparency, salinity and silicate were observed compared to other parameters. Surface and bottom differences were less with respect to salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and phosphate.