Sedimentation of particulate matter in the Dona Paula Bay, west coast of India during November to May 1995-1997

Data on hydrography, nutrients, suspended particles, and sedimented particl es were collected at weekly intervals from November to May during 1995 to 1 997 at a station in the coastal waters of Dona Paula Bay, India. Suspended and sedimented particles were analyzed for total suspended matter (SPM), to tal sedimented particulate matter (TPM), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON), chlorophyl a (chl a), and diatom abunda nce. Variations in hydrography and nutrients influenced the quantity and co mposition of sedimented particles. The TPM, POC, PON, and chi a fluxes show ed small-scale seasonal variations and were higher in the summer (February to May) than in the winter (November to January). Resuspension of carbon ac counted for approximately 25% of the gross POC and was highest in April 199 7 (45%). The mean net POC nux was 197 +/- 90 mg C m(-2) d(-1) and accounts for 4.6% of the TPM. The average C:N (w:w) ratio of the sedimented material was 13.2 +/- 6.6. The POC:chl a ratio was relatively higher in the sedimen ted material as compared to the suspended material. The particulate carbon reaching the bottom sediment was 39% of the primary production. The low org anic carbon concentration (approximately 0.1% of dry sediment) in the sedim ents implies that about 98% of the sedimented carbon was either consumed at the sediment-water interface or resuspended/advected before it was finally buried into the sediments.