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Appraisal of nutrient distribution in the surface water and bed sediments of a small mountainous river

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Abstract

A total of 42 (21 surface water and 21 bed sediments) samples were collected from upstream to downstream stretches of Meenachil river during pre-monsoon (PRM), monsoon (MON) and post monsoon (POM) seasons. DOC in water showed increasing trend spatially while temporal study illustrates high mean value during PRM (1.58 ppm) followed by POM (0.97) and MON (0.36). Spatial assessment of elements such as Ca, Mg, K and Na in sediments reveals erratic trend during different seasons, while total phosphorous showed escalating trend signifying abrupt addition from anthropogenic sources. Based on characteristic carbon to nitrogen ratio, the study demonstrates significant control of macrophyte in terrestrial organic matter accumulation along downstream stations.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. S. Chidambaram, Head, Dept. of Earth Science, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu for providing laboratory support in DOC analysis and Sophisticated Test & Instrumentation Centre, CUSAT, for elemental analysis. We acknowledge the financial grant from the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, under Major Research Project (MRP) scheme.

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  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, 695581, India

    Prince George & Sabu Joseph

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  1. Prince George
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  2. Sabu Joseph
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Correspondence to Prince George.

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George, P., Joseph, S. Appraisal of nutrient distribution in the surface water and bed sediments of a small mountainous river. Environ Monit Assess 189, 183 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5874-x

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