11-17Variations in temperature, salinity, suspended matter and currents at mouth, middle and upstream regions of Mandovi Estuary were studied in relation to tides for 3 seasons, viz. premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon. Waters attained maximum temperature of 31.5°C during premonsoon and minimum of 25.5°C during postmonsoon. Maximum salinity variation over a tidal cycle was in the middle region of the estuary during monsoon (2 to 34%) and minimum was at the mouth during premonsoon (34 to 36%). Horizontal gradient in salinity was maximum (2.0%/km) during monsoon and minimum (about 0.2%/km) during premonsoon. The estuary changed from a stratified type during the wettest season (monsoon) to a well-mixed type in premonsoon. The sediment load was generally low (<25 mg/litre) in the waters of the upstream region during postmonsoon. Higher values of suspended load were generally associated with strong currents. At the mid region of the estuary strong currents of about 150 cm/sec were encountered with flood during premonsoon and with ebb during monsoon
