HYDROGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY OF SASTHAMKOTTA LAKE IN SOUTHERN KERALA, INDIAMUNISHA MURALI S. AND S. SHEEBAAbstract Sasthamkotta Lake in Southern part of Kerala is a major wetland of international prominence under Ramsar Convention since 2002. It is an isolated freshwater body mainly nourished by rain and underground water sources. The temporal distinctions in the physicochemical parameters of water and sediments were analyzed. The samples were collected monthly during the period from January to December 2016. Surface area and volume of the lake have a drastic decline. Water quality characteristics exhibited definite temporal fluctuations. Dissolved oxygen was at maximum during post monsoon due to low temperature, high aeration and photosynthetic rate. Nutrients in the waterwere ample for the perseverance of the aquatic life. Most of the physicochemical parameters were within the standard limits. pH and organic content in the sediment was maximum during premonsoon which supported the suitable habitat for benthic organisms. Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrate in the sediment are copious to maintain a fruitful environment of the lake. Therefore the water in Sasthamkotta Lake is acceptable for drinking, industrial production and domestic purposes by the people in Kollam city and suburban areas. |