Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Utilisation of bottom slush from slightly polluted estuarine areas for plankton production.

Volume 24 Issue 1&2

K. O. Joseph, S. Radhakrishnan and M. Kaliyamurthy

Abstract

The effect of the addition of small doses of estuarine slush to pond soil for increasing the production of fish food organisms in brackishwater medium is reported. Experiments were conducted in glass jars using brackishwater (15 + 1 ppt) with slightly alkaline pond soil low in phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter as substratum. Air dried and powdered estuarine sediments formed mainly from city sewage was added uniformily to these experimental jars @ 50% of pond soil. Super phosphate and trace elements, namely molybdenum, boron and zinc were also applied separately to study their added effect in improving the nutrient status. Molybdenum gave the best plankton growth followed by boron, super phosphate and zinc. Better plankton production was obtained with estuarine slush alone when compared with pond soil. The changes in the nutrient status of water and soil were also studied.

Date : 30-12-1982