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Seasonal and spatial variations in water quality parameters, such as nutrients [NH 4 ? -N, NO 2 --N, NO 3 --N, PO 4 3--P, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)], Secchi disc depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, primary productivity and phytoplankton standing stock, were studied in Chilika Lagoon (from 27 sampling locations) during 2001-2003 to assess the present ecological status. The study was undertaken after a major hydrological intervention in September 2000, which connected the lagoon body and the Bay of Bengal via a manmade opening (new mouth). Current and old data on water quality were also compared to establish the changes that had occurred after the hydrological intervention. Multivariate techniques and gridding methods were used to investigate the spatial and seasonal variability of the data and to characterize the trophic evolution of the basin. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the 27 stations can be classified into five groups based on similarities in the temporal variation of nutrients, chlorophyll a concentration, salinity, and other physicochemical parameters. The tributaries and the exchange of lagoon water with the Bay of Bengal most probably determine the water quality and the dynamics of the ecosystem. Hydrodynamics of the lagoon, weed coverage, input of urban sewage through tributaries and agricultural runoff are probably the key factors controlling the trophic conditions of the lagoon. An increase in salinity and total phosphorus was noted after the new mouth was opened, while the total suspended sediment load, the water column depth, and nitrogenous nutrients decreased. The new mouth opening also brought changes in the phytoplankton species composition.

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An analytical setup for respiration rate measurements was developed and evaluated in pelagic water samples using a commercially available optical oxygen sensor (Optode™). This setup required the development of a gas tight stopper to connect the sensors to a 1 dm 3 glass sample bottle, precise temperature control (± 0.05°C), and proper stirring of samples. The detection limit and precision of the method was 0.3 mmol O 2 m -3 d -1 . This was similar to the detection limit for the high-precision Winkler titration method reported in field studies. When compared with the Winkler method, the Optode sensor enabled operator-independent, high temporal resolution measurement of respiration, better coverage of plankton groups and detection of non-linear oxygen decline, without the need for wet chemistry. Respiration rates measured by the Optodes showed good accuracy when compared with measurements made with the Winkler titration method (3% deviation), followed the expected temperature response (Q 10 = 3.0), were correlated with chlorophyll a and were congruent with earlier reported values in the literature. The main source of uncertainty was a necessary correction for system drift during the incubation period, due to oxygen release from the plastic components. Additionally, less stringent temperature control on board research vessels during rough seas reduced the precision. We conclude that the developed Optode system can be used to measure respiration in productive coastal waters. Samples from cold or deep waters were, however, often below the detection limit.