Abstract

The study assessed the Cochin estuary and adjacent coastal Arabian Sea for their seasonal variation in nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) uptake rates by total and nano + picoplankton using the 15N tracer technique. The results suggested that the NO3− and NH4+ uptake rates in the Cochin estuary are higher than those in the adjacent coastal Arabian Sea. NO3− and NH4+ uptake rates in the nearshore stations in the off Cochin station were high, indicating the influence of the eutrophic estuary. NO3− and NH4+ uptake rates conducted in off Mangalore transect were significantly lower than those of the off Cochin as it does not have an exchange with eutrophic systems. The nano + picoplankton's contribution to the total DIN uptake rates in the Cochin estuary was 77–98 %, indicating the relevance of nano + pico phytoplankton in the N cycling of the region.

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