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Core sediment biogeochemistry in specific zones of Cochin Estuarine System (CES)

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Geochemical composition is a set of data for predicting the climatic condition existing in an ecosystem. Both the surficial and core sediment geochemistry are helpful in monitoring, assessing and evaluating the marine environment. The aim of the research work is to assess the relationship between the biogeochemical constituents in the Cochin Estuarine System (CES), their modifications after a long period of anoxia and also to identify the various processes which control the sediment composition in this region, through a multivariate statistical approach. Therefore the study of present core sediment geochemistry has a critical role in unraveling the benchmark of their characterization. Sediment cores from four prominent zones of CES were examined for various biogeochemical aspects. The results have served as rejuvenating records for the prediction of core sediment status prevailing in the CES.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) under SIBER-GEOTRACES programme, Government of India, for the financial support to carry out the research work. They thank the Head, Department of Chemical Oceanography, CUSAT for providing laboratory facilities and suggestions. The authors express their heartfelt thanks for the scientific encouragement given by the Associate Editor and two anonymous reviewers. The authors extend their thanks to Ms. Geetha Dinesh for preparing the images.

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  1. Department of Chemical Oceanography, School of Marine Sciences, CUSAT, Cochin 16, Kerala, India

    P S AKHIL, MANJU P NAIR & C H SUJATHA

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  1. P S AKHIL
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  2. MANJU P NAIR
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  3. C H SUJATHA
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Correspondence to C H SUJATHA.

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AKHIL, P.S., NAIR, M.P. & SUJATHA, C.H. Core sediment biogeochemistry in specific zones of Cochin Estuarine System (CES). J Earth Syst Sci 122, 1557–1570 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-013-0365-0

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