Environmental changes associated with monsoon induced upwelling, off central west coast of India

Abstract

Coastal upwelling of nutrients during and after the southwest monsoon has been considered to support rich pelagic and demersal fisheries off the west coast of India. Studies indicate, occurrence of coastal upwelling associated with Ekman transport in response to prevailing equatorward winds. High salinity ocean waters of rich nutrient contents were observed at the coast in some locations. However, the effect of upwelling on the surface distribution of properties was reduced to some extent due to coastal runoff which gives the region a patchy distribution of properties.