Distribution of suspended particulate matter in the waters of eastern continental margin of India

Abstract

Distribution of total suspended matter (TSM) in surface and near bottom (approximately 5 m above sea bed) waters reveals a wide variation in concentration and composition. TSM varies from 0.05 to 122 mg.l/1 in surface waters, and from 0.25 top 231 mg.l/1 in near bottom waters. TSM decreases away from the coast and from north to south. Higher concentrations of TSM generally occur off the river mouths and in the nearshore regions (is less than 30 m water depth). TSM is mainly composed of inert material in the nearshore region and off Godavari. Distribution pattern of TSM indicates that it closely follows the circulation pattern during the study period (August-September 1976). Combustible organic matter varies from 5 to 80% and these compositional differences in TSM are related to the biological productivity of these waters during the study period