Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Hydrobiology of the inshore waters off Tuticorin in the Gulf of Mannar

Volume 49 Issue 1

Asha, P.S. and K.Diwakar

Abstract

A study conducted for a period of one year (2003) on the hydrobiology of the coastal and inshore waters
off Tuticorin based on samples from the surface and bottom regions of two stations, indicated a bimodal
oscillation in water temperature and unimodal fluctuation in salinity. The sewage polluted first station
showed comparatively lower dissolved oxygen content, higher productivity and high nutrient content. At the
second station, high nitrite concentration was observed associated with monsoon season. Very high statistically
significant difference (P<0.001) was observed in the dissolved oxygen content, productivity and
nutrient concentration between the two stations. The zooplankton volume was also less both in quantity as
well as in diversity at the first station. Copepods followed by Lucifer, and fish eggs were the dominant groups
at both stations.

Keywords

Trace metals, marine environment, hydrobiology, Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar

Date : 20-02-2008