Distribution of Hydro-biological Parameters in Coastal Waters off Rushikulya Estuary, East Coast of India: A Premonsoon Case Study

Abstract

The hydro-biological parameters of coastal waters off Rushikulya estuary was investigated during premonsoon 2011. Important hydro-biological parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, DO, NO2, NO3, NH4, PO4, SiO4, TSM, Chl-a, phytoplankton and zooplankton were measured during the present study. Temperature established a strong positive correlation with salinity and pH during the present study. Chl-a found in positive relation with NO3, SiO, and TSM. Analysis of variance revealed significant monthly variation in pH, salinity and TSM. Significant station wise variation was observed in DO and most of the nutrients i.e., NO3, NH4, PO4, SiO4. A total of 119 species of phytoplankton were identified of which 84 species are of diatoms, 22 species of dinoflagellates, 7 species of green algae, 5 species of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) and 1 species of cocolithophore. Phytoplankton abundance varied between 25543 (Nos. L(-1)) and 36309 (Nos. L(-1)). Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community followed by dinoflagellates in all the months. Diatoms contributed to 82-89% of the total phytoplankton population density whereas dinoflagellates contributed to 6-12%. The regression between Chl-a and phytoplankton abundance resulted with weak relation (R(2) = 0.042). Zooplankton fauna composed of 134 species of holoplankton and 20 types of meroplankton were encountered during the study period. Zooplankton population dominated by copepod during all months and accounted for 74 to 85% to the total zooplankton. The population density ranged from 6959 to 35869 Nos./10 m(3). Analysis of variance explained no significant variation in total zooplankton abundance and also for different groups of zooplankton.