Distribution of organic matter in shelf sediments off Kakinada, east coast of India

Abstract

Organic matter of surface sediments and bottom sediments of cores from the Kakinada Bay and the shelf of Kakinada-Pentakota Coast has been estimated. Organic matter increases seaward from shore in both the surface and bottom sediments of the cores as the phi mean size increase. It tends to decline with depth in all core samples except in a few from the southern part of the bay. Planktons and land derived plant material are considered to be the source of organic matter. Sediment texture and its differential rates of deposition seem to control the organic matter content in the sediments.