Nutrient concentrations showed distinct seasonal
variations. Inorganic phosphate showed little fluctuation,
recording the maximum during the summer season and the
minimum during the postmonsoon season. The increased
phosphate concentration observed during the monsoon season
in the study area could be due to the land runoff from the
irrigation channels and release of phosphate from the sediments
due to high wind action during this season. The lower
phosphate concentration during the postmonsoon season could
be attributed to the utilization of the nutrient by the
phytoplankton, which occurred in higher densities during the
postmonsoon and summer seasons.