Salinity is one of the important factors that influences the
functional physiology and reproductive activity of the organisms
(Kinne, 1971). In the present study, salinity was higher during
the summer and premonsoon seasons. This could be due to
the continuous evaporation of water from the study area
especially during these seasons as also observed by
Sampathkumar and Kannan (1998). Dissolved oxygen showed
higher values during the postmonsoon season and lower
values during the summer season. The latter could be due to
the decrease in oxygen solubility because of increase in
temperature and salinity of the water column during the
summer season. This is well explained by the significant
negative correlation (p