Abstract
The phytoplankton abundance and distribution from the Vembanad estuary, south west coast of India was studied for a period of two years from March, 2011 to February, 2013. A total of 73 genera of phytoplankton were recorded and Bacillariophyceae formed the dominant group in all seasons of the study. The constant addition of nutrients particularly, nitrate and phosphate based fertilizers used in the Kuttanad paddy fields enhanced the phytoplankton production in the estuary. During 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 period, phytoplankton biomass varied from 2 to 46 ml/m3 (av. 11.09 ml/m3) and 1 to 26 ml/m3 (av. 5.78 ml/m3) respectively. Phytoplankton biomass, distribution and species composition showed variations in contrast to the prevailing water temperature, light intensity (Secchi disc visibility), nutrient availability, grazing pressure, tide and water movements, and seasonal pattern and even with time of day. The salinity regime of the water body also influenced the phytoplankton distribution in the study locations. Phytoplankton production showed a higher value in the northern as compared to the southern zone. Thus, the mesohaline condition prevailing in the northern zone of the estuary supported higher abundance and diversity of phytoplankton species which in turn contributed to higher production rate.
Highlights
In any water body the most important link in food chain is plankton
Phytoplanktons are the primary producers of the pelagic marine ecosystems and some of the phytoplankton species may reflect the ecological changes in the environment
It has been well documented that initial changes in aquatic communities due to increasing eutrophication begin with the successions in the species composition and abundance of phytoplankton (Smith et al, 1999).The distribution of phytoplankton biomass is largely associated to nutrient availability at large, medium and small spatial scales by biophysical processes like the light environment, water column stratification/turbulence, temperature and grazing (Platt, 1972).Changes in the phytoplankton community representing an ecological succession occur associated to such environmental gradients in estuaries and coastal waters and because of their hydrodynamics and massive human settlements; especially estuaries are susceptible to anthropogenic impact
Summary
In any water body the most important link in food chain is plankton. Phytoplanktons are the primary producers of the pelagic marine ecosystems and some of the phytoplankton species may reflect the ecological changes in the environment. It has been well documented that initial changes in aquatic communities due to increasing eutrophication begin with the successions in the species composition and abundance of phytoplankton (Smith et al, 1999).The distribution of phytoplankton biomass is largely associated to nutrient availability at large, medium and small spatial scales by biophysical processes like the light environment, water column stratification/turbulence, temperature and grazing (Platt, 1972).Changes in the phytoplankton community representing an ecological succession occur associated to such environmental gradients in estuaries and coastal waters and because of their hydrodynamics and massive human settlements; especially estuaries are susceptible to anthropogenic impact Their integrity is currently under risk worldwide. This contribution elaborates the distribution and abundance of phytoplankton in the Vembanad estuary in relation to the prevailing water quality conditions
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