Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Photosynthetic pigments of benthic microflora in the brackishwater pond along Nethravathi estuary, Mangalore

Volume 44 Issue 1&2

H. Manjappa, G. Gowda, K. M. Rajesh and Mridula R. Mendon

Abstract

Monthly variation of plant pigments such as chlorophyll - a and phaeopigments were studied for one year from Feb. 1998 to Jan. 1999 in the brackishwater impoundment of Nethravathi estuary, Mangalore. Chlorophyll - a values fluctuated from 0.037 mg/g sediment (Nov) to 2.10 mg/g sediment (Feb). It exhibited trimodal pattern of distribution with primary peak during February followed by December and July. Phaeopigment concentration ranged from 0.064 mg/g sediment (Nov) to 13.71 mg/g sediment (Aug). Chlorophyll - a values showed significant correlation with benthic phytoplankton whereas it is inversely related with sediment nitrogen and phosphorus.

Date : 30-12-2002