Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Distribution and role of benthic microalgae in Cochin estuary

Volume 39 Issue 1&2

K.K. Sivadasan and K.J. Joseph

Abstract

Benthic microalgal biomass showed significant seasonal and spatial variation, but unaffected by the changes in the bottom water chemistry. The seasonal variation of biomass may be due b pazing or due to the recruibnent of the flora from adjoining marine and freshwater environments. Ihe average contribution of benthic microalgal biomass of 50.8 mg/m2 is indicative of its substantial contribution to the total micmalgal biomass in the estuarine system. The lower biomass value and higher percentage of pheophytin a at station 8 projects the impact of industrial pollution at the station. The average value of biomass in terms of active chlorophyll a and standing crop are found to exhibit no direct relationship This may be due to the variation in size and pigment concentration of individual species. Hence quantification of active chlorophyll a may be preferred to numerical analysis for a more reliable estimation of primary organic production.

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Date : 30-12-1997