9-Spatial Variability of Lake Sediments A Case Study

Abstract

Spatial variability of sediment properties in Vembanad Lake, southwest coast of India is studied. Vembanad lake is a major estuary connected to sea at Kochi (Kerala). The parameters observed are particle size distribution, biogeochemical properties such as calcium carbonate and organic matter distribution. The results showed that, there are considerable variation in particle size, CaCO3 and Organic matter concentration. It is found that the textural variations depends mainly on hydrological parameters such as, river discharge, slope of the river bed, depth of water column, morphology of the lake basin and wind-induced currents. The chemical parameters such as calcium carbonate and organic matter content is closely related with the grain-size. It is observed that the coarse textured soils are rich in CaCO3 whereas, fine-grained sediments are enriched in organic matter content.