Circulation and mixing processes in Chilika lagoon

Abstract

Chilika lagoon, along the east coast of India, is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. Hydrodynamics of an aquatic system like Chilika is extremely important. It has significant impact on sediment and pollutant transport, distribution of nutrients in water and sediments, and the productivity of the system. Data on salinity, temperature and wind procured during summer and winter season have been utilized to demonstrate circulation and mixing processes in Chilika lagoon. Density and wind driven circulation of this lagoon have been examined and depicted for the above period. Mixing of water masses in the lagoon are studied using straight line as well as triangle mixing methods. The present study infers the inherent seasonal variability in circulation (wind and density driven) and mixing pattern and also the variability due to opening of new mouth in Chilika lagoon .