Seasonal distribution of organic matter in mangrove environment of Goa

Water and sediments were studied for the distribution of suspended matter, organic carbon and nitrogen. Suspended matter ranged from 3-373 mg. l super(-1) while particulate organic carbon (POC) from 0.03-9.94 mg. l super(-1). POC value showed significant correlation with suspended matter. Particulate organic nitrogen (PON) values, however fluctuated in the range of 0.01-3.4 mg. l super(-1). Organic carbon in the sediments (SOC) varied from 1.7-54 mg. g super(-1) with an average value of 45.6 mg. g super(-1) organic matter. The values of total nitrogen in the sediments (STN) ranged organic 0.3-19.3 mg. l super(-1). The data indicate that there is marked spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of organic matter in the mangrove environment.