Sediment Chemistry of Lake Bhim Tal,U. P., India

Certain chemical constituents (NO₃-N, bio-available P, Ca, Na, K, Mn, Cu, Co and organic matter) together with pH, Eh and clay content of surface sediments at various depths of the overlying water in Lake Bhim Tal were examined during 1977—1978. In addition, NH₃-N and dissolved oxygen at the mud-water interface (water immediately above the sediments) were measured. The values of Eh, pH and NO₃-N in the sediments showed a negative relationship with water depth and positive relationship with dissolved oxygen at the interface. The other variables of the sediment were positively related to water depth and negatively related to dissolved oxygen at the interface. Organic matter, K, Na and Ca showed positive relationship with the amount of clay while the cations (K, Na, Ca) and trace metals (Cu, Mn, Co) showed a positive relationship with the amount of organic matter in the sediments.