Distribution and Biochemical Composition of Seaweeds in relation to Hydro-chemical Characters of Marine Water

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution pattern, pigments and biochemical composition of various seaweed species collected from the Gopnath coast in Gujarat, India from August 2021 to December 2021 as well as to examine physico-chemical variables in marine waters. Besides, the relationship between the pigment, biochemical content of seaweed species and hydrochemical characters was also investigated with principal component analysis (PCA). There are total of nine species with the highest number of Chlorophyta species. During the investigation period, the distribution and occurrence of the species changed greatly. Results indicate that the chlorophyta had the highest chlorophyll content, on the other hand carotenoids were found greater in Rhodophyta members. According to a statistical analysis (Correlation) computed among environmental parameters and pigment, it was observed that the chlorophyll content was positively correlated with pH, salinity and hardness whereas carotenoid shows positive correlation with temperature and dissolved oxygen of selected site. Moreover, the principal component analysis shows that the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, hardness and alkalinity are the main factor for marine water quality whereas principal component analysis of metabolites of seaweed shows that the carbohydrate and amino acids are the main principal components of Chlorophyta species. Protein is the main principal component of Rhodophyta specie. Based on the results obtained, we can conclude that the hydro-chemical characters may play a role in the biosynthetic pathways of seaweed.