Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Phytoplankton diversity in the Coleroon Estuary, southeast coast of India

Volume 47 Issue 2

K. Thillai Rajasekar, P. Perumal and P. Santhanam

Abstract

The results of an investigation carried out during September 1999 to August 2000 on hydrography, composition and community structure of phytoplankton including chlorophyll 'a' (Chl-a) content and primary productivity (PP) of the Coleroon Estuary (Southeast coast of India) are reported. The concentration (pm) of nitrate and phosphate ranged from 7.9-69.9 and 0.9-9.0 respectively. The ranges of values of Chl-a (mg m³) and PP (mg C m³ hr¹) were 1.7-3.2 and 0.2-2.1. While the peak diversity (4.32 bitslind.) of the phytoplankton was observed during premonsoon season, the maximum population density (37,127 cellsll) was found during summer. The spatio-temporal variations observed in the hydrobiological features appeared to be related to the pattern of meteorological events. The Coleroon Estuary is more fertile and supports a rich and diverse phytoplankton.

Keywords

Coleroon Estuary, diversity of phytoplankton

Date : 30-12-2005