PHYTOPLANKTON DYNAMICS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF PADUBIDRI, UDUPI DISTRICT
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Date
2009-06
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KARNATAKA VETERINARY, ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, BIDAR
Abstract
Seasonal variation of phytoplankton was studied in the coastal waters of Padubidri with reference to hydrographic parameters for a period of one year (February 2008 to January 2009). The sampling was made at monthly intervals at 5, 10, 15m depts. The salinity values ranged from 30.64 to 35.11ppt and exhibited bimodal seasonal oscillation with maximum values during pre monsoon period. The dissolved oxygen content varied between 4.0 and 6.5 mg/l with moderate values during pre monsoon period. The pH values were observed during post monsoon period. Among the nutrients ammonia and nitrite showed high values during post monsoon period while nitrate, phosphate and silicate showed higher values during pre monsoon period.
Total phytoplankton population varied from 100 to 10, 95,000 cells/m3. Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton and contributed about 92% of total phytoplankton population followed by dinoflagellate (6%) and cyanobacteria (2%). In total 22 species of diatoms were encountered. The diatoms comprised of Bacteriastrum, Biddulphia, Cerataulina, Chaetoceros, Coscinodiscus, Cyclotella, Ditylum, Eucamphia, Leptocylindrus, Mellosira, Planktoniella, Rhizosolenia, Skeletonema, Streptotheca, Tricerratium, Asterionella, Fragillaria, Navicula, Nitzschia, Pleurosigma, Thalassionema, and Thallassiothrix..The dinophyceae was represented by 5 genera such as Ceratium, Dinophysis, Ornithoceros, Peridinium and Preperidinium and blue green algae by Tricodesmium and Oscillatoria The chlorophyll- “a” content fluctuated from 1.28 to 4.81mg/l Overall, phytoplankton population density was high during summer periods and low during post monsoon periods. The statistical analysis showed strong relationship between temperature, salinity, nutrients and phytoplankton abundance.
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