Spatial and temporal patterns in the water quality of a major tropical lake – Oussudu

The water quality of Oussudu lake, Pondicherry, was studied for over an year as a function of lake depth, lake breadth, rainfall and seasons. Diurnal variation in the water quality was also studied. The water quality variables included bulk parameters (pH, hardness, alkalinity etc), nutrients (including different forms of phosphorous and nitrogen), and heavy metals.

The studies provide a fairly detailed profile of the Oussudu lake water quality and the manner in which different factors influence it. The studies hopefully generate a much-needed body of information necessary in the ecorestoration and sustainable management of the lake.