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

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.