Investigations on basic biochemical composition of mixed zooplankton with respect to seasons were estimated using standard methods in two sampling stations along the Muthukkuda coastal area from January 2012 to December 2012. Among the biochemical components, protein formed the major constituent which varied from 8.70 to 41.11% followed by lipids which were found to vary from 5.12-25% and carbohydrates were in the range of 3.49-11.35%. The recorded minimum and maximum values of atmospheric temperature, surface water temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen in sampling area were 26-36°C, 25-33°C, 26-33.5‰, 7.05-8.69 and 0.43-7.42 ml l-1 respectively. The recorded inorganic nutrients viz., nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate of study area were in the range of 0.01-0.35, 0.06-1.2,0.04-1.12 and 1.19-28.86 μM respectively. The present study revealed the prevailing of seawater hydrography and biochemical composition of and mixed zooplankton from Muthukkuda coastal waters which exhibited significant seasonal variations.

Zooplankton, salinity, inorganic nutrient, biochemical composition, Muthukkuda coast.